NEW DELHI, JUN 12 (DNA) – After a recent meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in Astana, India on Monday announced the release of 11 Pakistani prisoners. The move is being described by Indian authorities as ‘goodwill gesture’.

Pakistan had sought the release of these prisoners as they had all served their respective sentences.

As per Indian officials, the release of prisoners is a humanitarian issue and should not affect relations between the neighbouring countries.

On June 5, Indian authorities had released two Pakistani children who unintentionally crossed into their border area, informed diplomatic sources. Ten-year-old Babar and 12-year-old Ali Raza had been 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 release of the children had been delayed following military court`s decision on Kulbhushan Jadhav`s death sentence.=DNA

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