The Indian delegation will meet the Indian detainees in different Pakistani jails all over the country.

"They will also deliberate upon the modalities for the release of Indian prisoners with the Pakistani chapter of the committee," said an official here asking for anonymity.

He said that matching the occasion, Pakistani government had decided to set free as many as 54 fishermen and for that all relevant documentation was being carried out.

Pakistan also released near 100 Indian prisoners in May this year during the visit of India's external affairs minister, Pranab Mukherjee, the official said adding "We look forward to same goodwill gesture from New Delhi."

During the visit to Pakistan, the Indian delegation will visit jails in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi to identify the Indian prisoners.

The Indo-Pak Joint Committee was formed in January 2007 with a mandate of suggesting measures to ensure that no maltreatment is meted out to the citizens of the two countries during their life in prison.

Another major purpose of the committee formation was to accelerate the process of release of these prisoners.

The committee on prisoners held its first meeting on 25-27 February this year in Delhi. The current visit of Indian chapter to Pakistan will be followed by a visit of Pakistani chapter of the committee to Indian jails to meet Pakistani prisoners there.

The members of the Committee are Justice (Retd) Abdul Qadeer Chaudhry, Justice (Retd) Fazal Karim, Justice (Retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, and Justice (Retd) Mian Muhammad Ajmal from the Pakistan's side, whereas Justice (Retd) Nagendra Rai, Justice (Retd) Amarjeet Choudhry, Justice (Retd) A S Gill and Justice (Retd) MA Khan from the Indian side.

Source: Tha Nation