ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister (PM) on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday informed the Upper House of parliament that Pakistan has sent a draft to India relating to release of fishermen within two weeks after confirmation of their nationalities. The agreement over quick release of fishermen was decided during a meeting of prime ministers of both India and Pakistan in Ufa. In this regard the adviser said Pakistan has sent a draft proposal to India for consideration. After approval from Indian side, the arrested fishermen of each other country would be released within two weeks. Currently, both the countries release each other’s arrested fishermen on the basis of mutual understanding. Aziz said during the question hour that the neighbouring countries had agreed recently to release fishermen sooner than before. According to the ministry, Pakistani prisoners in India now have access to consuls in respect of the agreement signed by Pakistan and India in March 2015. He informed the legislators that India released 329 Pakistani nationals, which include 217 fishermen and 112 civilians, during the last three years. At least 460 Pakistani citizens in total are imprisoned in India, which include 113 fishermen and 347 others. Different cases have been registered against them, including of drugs smuggling, spying, illegal migration and terrorism.
