India releases, repatriates 7 Pakistanis from jails

India on Monday released seven Pakistani prisoners from its jails and repatriated them.

New Delhi released Pakistani prisoners on a day Islamabad set free 30 Indian prisoners from its jails. Twenty-seven of the Indian prisoners released from Pakistan jails on Monday are fishermen, who inadvertently crossed the maritime boundary and incarcerated in the neighbouring country.

India had on August 7 last released 14 Pakistani fishermen from its jails.

“India attaches high priority to addressing humanitarian issues including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and prisoners in Pakistan's custody,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release in New Delhi.

The MEA said that New Delhi could so far secure release of 178 Indian prisoners, including 174 fishermen, during the current year.

A statement posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Government said that the Indian prisoners had been released from the jails in the neighbouring country as “a humanitarian gesture” by Islamabad to mark the country's Independence day on August 14.

“This is in line with Pakistan's consistent policy of not politicizing humanitarian issues. It is our hope that the Indian side will also reciprocate in a similar manner,” the MoFA of Pakistan government stated.