According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, India released 12 Pakistani detainees on Thursday who have served their sentences.
The spokesperson expressed hope for the expedited release of Indian fishermen held in Pakistan, noting that the Indian government’s relentless efforts had resulted in the repatriation of 20 Indian fishermen held in Pakistan’s custody this year.
In a written statement, Bagchi said that on February 17, twelve Pakistani detainees who had served their sentences were returned to Pakistan across the Attari-Wagah land border.
He said that India places a lot of importance on resolving all humanitarian issues, especially the quick release and return of Indian detainees and fishermen.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the Sindh High Court last month that nine Pakistani individuals were serving different terms in Indian jails, while seven were freed between 2011 and 2015.
The information was given to a two-person bench led by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro during a hearing on a petition that asked for information about the number of Pakistanis in Indian jails.
According to the ministry’s response, four of the nine detainees are serving life sentences in Indian jails.
