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PR. No.253/2008

Date: 16/08/2008    

 

THE PAKISTANI MEMBERS OF PAKISTAN-INDIA JUDICIAL COMMITTEE ON PRISONERS CALL ON THE FOREIGN MINISTER

 

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan received the Pakistani members of Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on 16th August 2008. The Committee comprises of Justice (R) Fazal Karim, Justice (R) Mian Muhammad Ajmal,  Justice (R) Abdul Qadeer Chaudhry and Justice (R) Nasir Aslam Zahid.

Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners, comprising of eminent judges from both countries, was established in January 2007. The Committee held its first meeting in February 2008 in New Delhi and visited Indian prisoners in Pakistan in June 2008. The Committee recommended steps for humane treatment and expeditious release of those prisoners who have completed their sentences. The Committee will now visit Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails in Amritsar, Jaipur and New Delhi from 18-23 August 2008.

The Foreign Minister commended the work done by the Judicial Committee. He stated that this was a humanitarian issue and assured the Honourable Judges that the Government of Pakistan will extend full support to the Committee. He added that the Government will fully implement the Consular Access Agreement signed between Pakistan and India in May 2008 as well as the recommendations of the Judicial Committee.
 
The Honourable members were informed that the Government of Pakistan has taken following steps to implement the recommendations of the Judicial Committee:

  1. Pakistan released 34 juvenile fishermen and one civil prisoner on 15th August 2008.
  2. Pakistan has provided comprehensive list (with details) of all Indian prisoners to the Indian side.
  3. All Indian fishermen in Pakistan have been provided Consular Access.
  4. Special consideration, on compassionate and humanitarian basis, is being accorded to women, juvenile and disabled prisoners for their repatriation.

Islamabad
16 August, 2008