Pak report lists 180 Indians in its jails

In a development that will revive hope among countless Indian families with loved ones believed to be missing in Pakistan, the Pakistani Interior Ministry has reportedly identified over 180 Indian prisoners, including five women, languishing in jails in the country on ‘‘unknown charges’’ since 1971.

Quoting a classified report of the ministry, Pakistani daily The News said a survey was conducted recently in the first ever official recording of data on Indian prisoners by Islamabad.

This was reportedly done after India handed over a list of 54 of its citizens believed to be in Pakistani jails. India believes over 1,400 Indians, including 54 prisoners of war, are lodged in various jails in Pakistan.

The report says many of the 182 Indian prisoners entered Pakistani territory mistakenly, and several are suffering from memory loss.

The names and particulars of prisoners