11 Pakistani prisoners released by India

India released 11 Pakistani prisoners today, 12 June, as a ‘goodwill gesture’ amid escalating tensions between both countries.

According to reports, Pakistan had sought the release of these prisoners as they had all completed their sentences.

Officers hope that Islamabad will also facilitate the release of Indian prisoners currently in Pakistani jails.

The move comes at a time when the two nations are fighting a legal battle at the International Court of Justice over the death sentence of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. Pakistan claim Jadhav is guilty of espionage charges, which India denies.

Sources say there are 132 Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails, out of which 57 have already served their jail term. Pakistan says India has to confirm their nationality before it releases them.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, shook hands with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, during a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Thursday, 8 June, almost a year and a half after their last meeting in Lahore.