43 Pakistanis to be released from Sri Lankan jails

Islamabad : Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has managed to bring 43 Pakistani citizens imprisoned in different jails of Sri Lanka after detailed negotiations with the Sri Lankan authorities, the Interior Ministry said.

43 Pakistani citizens undergoing imprisonment in different jails of Sri Lanka, would be sent back to Pakistan during the early days of July this year, the sources maintained. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi received a positive response on the diplomatic front for bringing 43 Pakistani citizens back to their homes from Sri Lankan jails.

In a high-level meeting with the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne on Friday, it was agreed to immediately repatriate 43 Pakistani citizens imprisoned in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Interior had been working with the Sri Lankan authorities for the past month to bring back these prisoners, a spok­esman of the Ministry of Interior said. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner assured all possible cooperation in this regard. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi thanked the Sri Lankan High Commissioner for his support for the repatriation of the prisoners. The arrangements for the return of Pakistani prisoners will be finalised in a few days, Mohsin Naqvi said in his statement.

The minister said that relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been going from strength to strength over the past seven decades. He said that Pakistan wants to further enhance mutual relations in various fields with Siri Lanka. In the meeting, it was agreed to take immediate steps to return the prisoners of both countries to their country. Issues of mutual interest and the development of bilateral relations were also discussed in the meeting. Both sides agreed to increase cooperation in the field of security and counter-narcotics. Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the Sri Lankan High Commissioner on his arrival at the Ministry of Interior. Federal Secretary Interior Khurram Ali Agha, Chairman NADRA Lt. Gen. Muhammad Munir Afsar and relevant officers were also present on this occasion.