Islamabad:
Pakistan today said it will release 11 Indian civil prisoners by the middle of this month as the two countries exchanged lists of prisoners lodged in different jails.
The list was exchanged as per the Consular Agreement signed between the two countries in 2008.
Consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Foreign Office handed over to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, a list of 491 Indian prisoners lodged in Pakistani jails, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
A similar list of 386 Pakistani prisoners was also handed over to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs, it said.
Upon receipt of these lists, the respective Interior/Home ministries consult the provincial home departments and jail authorities to ascertain how many of the prisoners are completing their jail term.
Upon completion of the jail terms these prisoners are released.
The statement noted that last May, Pakistan released 46 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture and "is making arrangements for the release of 11 Indian civil prisoners by the middle of this month".
However, there was no detail about the Indian prisoners who will be released.