India repatriates seven Pakistani prisoners

New Delhi : India on Monday repatriated on humanitarian grounds seven Pakistani civilian prisoners lodged in Indian jails, the External Affairs Ministry said.

The repatriation comes after 14 Pakistani fishermen were released and sent home on August 7.

"India attaches high priority to addressing humanitarian issues, including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and prisoners in Pakistan's custody," the Ministry said in a statement here.

"Release of 178 Indian prisoners, including 174 fishermen, has been secured (from Pakistan) in 2018," it stated.

In October last year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj suggested that the two countries could progress on humanitarian issues related to the elderly, women, children and mentally unsound prisoners when Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood called on her.