India defers release of Pakistan inmates
As of now, the release of Pakistani prisoners has been deferred, and a final decision would be taken at an appropriate time, says official.
New Delhi: Soon after the death sentence awarded to Kulbhushan Jadhav, India decided not to release for now nearly a dozen Pakistani prisoners who were to be sent back Wednesday.
According to an existing mechanism, both countries repatriate prisoners who have either completed their sentence and are still lodged in jail or those who inadvertently cross boundaries.
“As of now, the release of Pakistani prisoners has been deferred, and a final decision would be taken at an appropriate time,” a senior official said.
The Indian government, sources claimed, was upset with the developments, and it immediately decided to stop the release of about a dozen Pakistani prisoners who were to be sent back from the Wagah border on Wednesday.
“The decision to defer the release of these prisoners has been taken at the highest levels in the government which is upset with the manner in which Pakistan handled the entire issue. Jadhav’s trial was kept completely secret and our government was not even informed about it which is in violation of international,” the official said.