India and Pakistan on November 2 calmed bilateral tensions and addressed urgent humanitarian issues involving pilgrims and prisoners.
The Ministry of External Affairs’ announcement on repatriating Pakistani prisoners from India came even as Pakistan informed that Indian citizens who wanted to visit Sikh pilgrimage sites had been granted visa.
“Nine fishermen and four civilian prisoners from Pakistan and a minor child were repatriated today via Attari/Wagah border. India attaches high priority to addressing all humanitarian issues, including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and prisoners in Pakistan’s custody. Release of 370 Indian prisoners, including 363 fishermen, has been secured in 2017, so far,” said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
A statement from the Pakistan High Commission said the released prisoners were held in various prisons and transit camps and the release was secured through bilateral cooperation.
Pakistani prisoners, including two women and a girl born in captivity, leave for their country through the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar after they were released on Thursday.
India’s announcement came even as Pakistan declared that 2,600 Sikh pilgrims were granted visas to participate in the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji from November 2 to 11 in the Nankana Sahib gurdwara.
“This is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to promote religious and people to people interactions,” said a press release issued by the High Commission of Pakistan in Delhi.
