India, Pakistan exchange civilian prisoners

India released 38 Pakistani civilian prisoners on Friday while Pakistan reciprocated by setting free 19 Indian prisoners. However, Pakistan did not release any Indian fishermen as agreed.

The prisoners’ release was in pursuance of the understanding reached between the Governments of India and Pakistan during the Home Secretary level talks in Islamabad on May 30-31 last within the framework of the third round of Composite Dialogue, to release civilian prisoners whose status has been confirmed and who have completed their sentences. The remaining civilian prisoners in India, whose status had been confirmed by Pakistan, are either under trial or have not completed their terms.