India, Pakistan to work towards releasing prisoners

The Indian and Pakistani human rights commissions have agreed to expeditiously work together for the release of prisoners held by their respective governments.

Both the commissions will take up the issue with their governments, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairperson Asma Jahangir said after a meeting with National Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice M N Venkatachalaiah.

Pakistan had recently released several fishermen -- all under 18 years -- who had accidently strayed into their territorial waters. However, scores of other Indian nationals are still imprisoned in Pakistani jails.

Jahangir said both India and Pakistan should come forward to discuss the real issues concerning the nations. Asked if the Kashmir issue should also be discussed, she said, ''You can't ignore the issue. It should also be discussed.''

Jahangir, one of Pakistan's top lawyers and women's activists, said the HRCP was giving top priority to the protection of minority rights. In Pakistan and India, she said, minority rights are being violated.

She added while politicians and vested interests were critical about her commission, the minorities and women were all for it -- the real support is from them. Jahangir advocated the need for a uniform civil code in Pakistan. Minority leaders, she said, were in favour of such a code.

UNI