India frees six Pakistani prisoners

F.P. Report

LAHORE: Six Pakistani nationals were released on Friday by the Indian authorities as a goodwill gesture.

The Indian Border Security Force handed them over to Rangers at the Wagah Border in Lahore.

They have been identified as Nawab Khan, Shah Jahan, Amir, Azra Bibi, Ishrat Bibi, and a child, Shaista. Five people belong to the same family.

They were prisoned in India last year after their overstayed their visa.

In April, Pakistan released 360 Indian prisoners after New Delhi sent a note verbale to Islamabad asking it to release prisoners who have completed their sentences.

The prisoners were fishermen detained by the Pakistani Coastguard for illegally fishing in the country’s territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. The last batch of 60 prisoners, comprising five fishermen and 55 others crossed the Wagha Border on April 29.

On December 26, 2018 India released two Pakistanis.

Imran Warsi, a resident of Karachi, was arrested in Bhopal in 2007 for overstaying his visa. He has been released from jail after 10 years.

Meanwhile, Abdullah, a resident of Mangora, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The government of Pakistan has signed a treaty with India regarding the exchange of nationals, under which both the governments have at least one month to initiate and complete the process of repatriation.