ISLAMABAD: Over 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war and civilian internees in India are to be repatriated simultaneously with Bengalis from Pakistan and a substantial number of non-Bengalis in Bangladesh, who are said to have opted for repatriation to Pakistan. This was stated in the Indo-Pakistan agreement signed in New Delhi last night [Aug 28] between Pakistan and India and released from Islamabad, New Delhi and Dacca simultaneously this evening. … It provides for the repatriation of the Pakistani prisoners of war and civilian internees … as soon as logistic arrangements are completed, and the same is to be settled by mutual agreement. The 195 Pakistani prisoners of war shall not be tried pending settlement of this question in a meeting between Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Until settlement these prisoners will remain in India and will not go to Bangladesh.

The agreement says Pakistan Government, guided by consideration of humanity, have agreed initially to receive a substantial number of such non-Bengalis from Bangladesh who are said to have opted [for] Pakistan. … In the repatriation of all categories of persons the principle of simultaneity will be observed.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023