India, Pakistan exchange lists of prisoners

The matter of release of nationals in jail in either country has become a sensitive issue, particularly after the death sentence for Sarabjit Singh who has been jailed in Pakistan and the death of Pakistani national Khalid Mahmood in Indian custody. While India has been seeking early release of its fishermen in Pakistani custody, Pakistan wants India to reciprocate by releasing its civilian prisoners. But India has pointed out that the two cannot be equated, say official sources.

Sarabjit’s sentence was deferred after appeals from India. But Pakistan has expressed its unhappiness about Mahmood’s death. He was arrested for overstaying after coming to watch a cricket match in Mohali in 2005 and was lodged in Gurgaon’s Bhondsi jail. He died after being admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in February this year.

The judicial committee had urged the two governments to provide consular access to the prisoners and hoped they were treated in a humane manner. However, India has been able to get consular access to some of these prisoners.

Members of the committee, who would visit jails in India and Pakistan, where such prisoners are lodged, to take stock of their welfare, had also suggested that persons jailed for petty offences be let off and sought compassionate treatment of women, children and disabled prisoners.

Pakistan claims to have released 2,637 prisoners, including fishermen over the last four years. In August last year, India released 24 prisoners and 48 fishermen. Pakistan had earlier released 35 prisoners and 100 fishermen. The two countries had released prisoners and fishermen in June last year under a confidence-building measure before the Home Secretary-level talks.