May 26, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23,1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 25: Over a dozen Pakistani prisoners have been shifted to the Indian capital New Delhi from the jails in Rajahesthan state, a BBC report said and added that some of them had completed their prison term.

A human rights organization — People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) — has raised the issue of these prisoners with the National Human Rights Commission.

According to official sources, the prisoners have been shifted to New Delhi for identification process.

It may be recalled that so far the process of identification was being carried out in Jaipur. However, the official sources declined to explain the reason for change in the identification process.

One prisoner, Noor Mohammad has submitted an application to the PUCL for his release, as the union has already raised the issue with the National Human Rights Commission.

A PUCL spokeswoman said the Pakistani prisoners wanted to seek release so that they could return to their homeland, adding: “we know that mostly political reasons are included among the reasons for putting a person behind bars.”

The PUCL had taken up the issue with the National Human Rights Commission to negotiate with the Indian government for releasing the prisoners so that they could return to their homeland, she added.

It was a matter of pleasure that now when Indo-Pakistan dialogue was about to resume, all the detainees who were in jails would be released, she said.

The process of exchange of prisoners between the two countries has stalled since their relations got strained. Pakistan while extending the hand of friendship towards India, had released a group of Indian prisoners a few days ago.

It is, however, believed that India may also reciprocate, the BBC reported.—APP