Pakistan releases 30 Indian prisoners as goodwill gesture

As a goodwill gesture before the Independence Day, Pakistan authorities have released 30 Indian prisoners from their jails on Monday.

Among the 30 prisoners, 27 fishermen are also being set free. The 27 fishermen reached Lahore today and will be handed over to the Indian authorities at Wagah Border.

“This is a humanitarian gesture to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said, in a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the spokesperson, the release of the prisoners is ‘in line with Pakistan’s consistent policy of not politicizing humanitarian issues’. The spokesperson hoped that the Indians will also respond in a similar manner.

Over 470 Indians, including 418 fishermen, are detained in Pakistani jails, according to a government report submitted before the country’s Supreme Court in July, according to Indian media.

Pakistan’s 71st Independence Day will be celebrated on August 14, whereas India will celebrate its Independence on August 15.