India and Pakistan on Wednesday agreed to free all fishermen as also prisoners who have completed their sentences in each other’s custody by August 14-15 when the two neighbours observe their Independence Days.
Both sides described the recently formed Committee on Prisoners, comprising eminent retired judges from the two countries, as an “useful instrument” to facilitate the release and repatriation of the prisoners who have served their prison sentences.
It was agreed that action would be initiated to hold two meetings, one in India and the other in Pakistan, within a period of three months by which time the necessary reconciliation of numbers of other prisoners on both sides would have been completed.
Drug trafficking
The scheduled two-day talks were concluded on Wednesday with both the sides pouring over on the agreed agenda which included cross-border terrorism and drug trafficking in the sub-continent.
At the end of the Home Secretary-level talks during which India raised its concerns on terrorism and fugitives, it was agreed that “effective and sustained” measures would be taken to combat the menace. “It was agreed that terrorists and criminals in either countries would be effectively dealt with,” a statement issued after talks between Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta with his Pakistan counterpart Syed Kamal Shah, here said.
They also agreed to release by August 14-15, 2007, those prisoners who have been granted consular access, whose national status has been verified and who have completed their prison sentences.
To this end, they agreed that immediate steps will be taken by either side to reconcile their numbers to facilitate their early release on completion of necessary formalities. A protocol on Consular Access was discussed in detail and finalised.
Cooperation
Cooperation would be enhanced between CBI and its Pakistani counterpart Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the areas of human trafficking, illegal immigration and counterfeit currency. The nodal points in both the agencies will meet periodically to facilitate early disposal of Interpol related cases.
Detailed discussions took place on the draft Visa Agreement. Considerable progress was made in finalising some of the provisions.