India to release 11 Pakistani prisoners as ‘goodwill gesture’

A few days after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in Astana, India announced on Monday to release 11 Pakistani prisoners.

The move has been described as ‘goodwill gesture’ by the Indian authorities. Pakistan had sought the release of these prisoners as they had all served their respective sentences.

According to Indian officials, the release of prisoners is a humanitarian issue and should help to stem deterioration of relations between the neighbouring countries.

On June 5, Indian authorities had released two Pakistani children who unintentionally crossed the border, informed diplomatic sources.

India releases Pakistani children who crossed border unintentionally

10-year-old Babar and 12-year-old Ali Raza were handed over to the Pakistan Rangers on Wagah border

Ten-year-old Babar and 12-year-old Ali Raza were handed over to the Pakistan Rangers on Wagah border - both were arrested last year for crossing the border and entering India from the Narowal border.

New Delhi released the children after receiving a legal notice and petition from the High Commission of Pakistan.

The children were scheduled to be handed over to the Pakistani authorities on April 10, however, the release was delayed after the military court`s decision on Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav`s death sentence.

Both the children hail from the areas of Narowal and Sheikhupura.