April 01, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23, 1429

ISLAMABAD, March 31: Pak-istan and India on Monday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s jails through their high commissions in New Delhi and Islamabad.

According to the list provided by Pakistan, there are 53 Indian civilians and 436 fishermen in Pakistani jails.

India declared 135 Pakistani civilians and 14 fishermen in its custody. Sources said the Indian list was inconclusive and would be updated.

“This is the first concrete step towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Pakistan-India Joint Judicial Committee on Prisoners held in New Delhi last month. The first meeting of the committee had called for steps for humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners in each other’s jails,” Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said.

The committee comprising retired judges from both countries was set up in 2007.

It had recommended that prisoners who had completed their sentences and whose national status had been verified be immediately released.

Special consideration, on humanitarian basis, should be accorded to women, juvenile and disabled prisoners for their repatriation.

Consular access be given to other prisoners, including fishermen and accused or convicted of minor offences, for confirmation of their nationality.

The Indian chapter of the judicial committee would visit Pakistani jails in April.