Pakistan frees Indian prisoners

Families welcomed the returning prisoners home

Pakistan has released 20 Indian prisoners who entered the country illegally in the latest goodwill gesture between the long-standing South Asian rivals.

The freed Indians included the 14-man crew of a boat that ended up in Pakistani waters after catching fire two years ago.

Pakistani Rangers turned the former prisoners over to Indian Border Security Forces at the Wagah checkpoint, the only open land crossing between the two countries.

I feel like I am being reborn - I cannot explain how happy I am

Gurmith Singh,
freed Indian prisoner

The release on Sunday came soon after Pakistan appointed a new high commissioner to India, completing the restoration of diplomatic ties after a break of nearly 18 months.

One former prisoner spoke of his joy at being released and his hopes for future Indo-Pakistani co-operation.

"I feel like I am being reborn. I cannot explain how happy I am," Gurmith Singh, 25, told the Associated Press news agency.

"We wish both countries could have business links that will bring prosperity for all of us," he said.

The Pakistani officer who supervised the handover called it a "very, very positive initiative".

Pakistani Rangers handed out traditional Indian sweets

The officer, Colonel Haris, gave the departing Indians boxes of traditional Indian sweets - wrapped in green, Pakistan's national colour.

The handover came on the orders of Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali.

It was originally scheduled for Saturday, but had to be delayed for logistical reasons.

New commissioner

Pakistan's new representative in India is a career diplomat, Riaz Mohammed Khan.

He is currently ambassador in China and one of the most senior officials in Pakistan's foreign ministry.

Last week, India appointed its own ambassador to China, Shivshankar Menon, as the new high commissioner to Pakistan.

The two countries decided to resume full diplomatic relations last month, announcing at the same time a series of other steps, including the resumption of travel and sporting links, as confidence-building measures.