ISLAMABAD, 29 May 2006 — Pakistan and India are set to discuss a wide range of issues during the Indian Union Home Secretary V. K. Dugal’s visit to Islamabad that begins today, sources told Arab News yesterday. Border security, prevention of arms smuggling and exchange of information are likely to figure prominently at the talks.
Pakistan and India have already exchanged lists of prisoners detained in jails in the two countries. Most of them were arrested for crossing the border.
India will release 50 Pakistani prisoners who are civilians and belong to border villages. Indian officials after having complete details of the detainees agreed to release them.
Likewise, Pakistan has also received a list of Indians detained in Pakistani jails.
Pakistan’s Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah and V. K. Dugal will take up the issue of border security, discuss measures to stem smuggling of arms and other items and exchange information on those involved in human smuggling.
Officials say the meeting of the two officials is part of the confidence-building measures the two countries have taken to improve relations.
Shah and Dugal will also decide on regular meetings of the commanders of the border forces of Pakistan and India at Lahore-Amritsar and border points in Sindh.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said yesterday Pakistan was seeking details of Pakistani prisoners languishing in various jails in Europe, the United States and Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan will send two teams — one to Afghanistan and another to the United States — to ascertain details about Pakistani prisoners.
