Thursday, June 29 2006 17:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: India and Pakistan would free 57 civilian prisoners held in each other's jails tomorrow while the much-awaited release of 462 fishermen by the two sides would not take place as announced earlier.

Pakistan has informed India about its decision to release 19 Indian civilian prisoners who have completed their prison terms while India would release 38 Pakistani prisoners, officials here said.

The prisoners, who are being released tomorrow by both sides through the Wagah border, have been identified through the consular access.

However, both sides are not going to release 462 fishermen Indians and 30 Pakistanis as announced earlier.

Pakistan Foreign Office had recently announced that 432 Indian fishermen languishing in prisons in Karachi would be released.



Indian High Commission officials said they were hoping that Pakistan would release at least 240 Indian fishermen who have already been identified through consular access. "It is a pity that they are not being released. We have not been told why," a senior Indian diplomat here said.

Pakistan Foreign Office officials could not be reached for comment.