August 17, 2008	Sunday	Sha'aban 14, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: A Pakistani delegation is scheduled to travel to India on Monday on a six-day visit to inspect the conditions of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.

The delegation comprises members of the Pakistan-India Judicial committee. Justice (retd) Fazal Karim, Justice (retd) Mian Mohammad Ajmal, Justice (retd) Abdul Qadeer Chaudhry and Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid will visit jails in Amritsar, Jaipur and New Delhi from August 18 to 23.

There are over 400 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails. This year three Pakistani prisoners, including a woman, died in Indian jails highlighting the poor conditions to which they are subjected by Indian authorities.

The delegation would also be meeting Indian members of the judicial committee and Indian leadership to discuss the plight of prisoners, seek more humane treatment for them. The delegation will also discuss modalities for the implementation of the committee’s recommendations, especially the expeditious release of the prisoners who have served their jail term.

The Pakistani members of the committee called on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday to discuss issues relating to implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

Mr Qureshi assured the delegation that Pakistan would extend full support to the committee in its work and that it was committed to implementation of the Consular Access Agreement signed between Pakistan and India.