Issues relating to terrorism, counterfeit currency, drug trafficking, exchange of prisoners and a visa regime are expected to come up for discussion during the fifth round of Home Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan in Islamabad on November 25. These talks are a part of the ongoing composite dialogue process between the two countries.

Meanwhile, reports from Pakistan quoting Interior Ministry Chief Rehman Malik stated that Islamabad will release 101 Indian prisoners, mainly fishermen, as a goodwill gesture in the run up to Tuesday’s meeting.

The Indian side at the talks will be led by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and the Pakistani side will be represented by Secretary, Interior, Syed Kamal Shah.

The last Home Secretary level talks between the two countries were held in July last year in New Delhi.

Gupta left for Lahore by road on Monday after chairing a meeting of senior government officials at Attari. It was decided at the meeting that the Government would develop an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, besides developing integrated railway related infrastructure there.

Officials from the ministries of Home, Railways, Commerce, Finance and External Affairs, the Border Security Force and the Punjab Government visited the area in and around Attari to see the existing facilities. During the meeting at Attari, various initiatives like development of services and facilities, upgradation of existing infrastructure at the Attari Land Custom Station and various issues relating to border fencing and tourism development were also discussed.