17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

NEW DELHI Feb 16: India on Monday decided to release and repatriate eight Pakistani civilians, including four boys, who had been languishing in Faridkot jail after straying into Indian territory over the years, an external affairs ministry spokesman said here.

They would be repatriated on Tuesday, he said. An announcement was made ahead of the three-day talks, which commenced on Monday between India and Pakistan in Islamabad.

The spokesman said the decision was part of the peace initiatives India was progressively taking up. The four Pakistani detained in Faridkot juvenile jail were extended consular access on May 19, 2003 and were issued travel documents by Pakistan's High Commission on Jan 12, 2004 to facilitate their return, he said.

He said there were eight boys in all, who had been granted consular access on Oct 3, 2003. Of these eight boys, one was repatriated on Nov 14, 2003. The boys to be released are Babar Ali, son of Ghulam Ali resident of Attari Aki, Amjad Khan, son of Yaqoob Khan (Sheikhupura), Sagar Ali, son of Din Mohammad and Sabar Ali, son of Mohammad Asrif, (from Qasur), said a report. -APP