Islamabad:
Pakistan will release 367 Indian prisoners next week to send a positive message to its neighbour amid high tension due to firing on the Line of Control, Pakistani sources said today.
The two sides are trying to ease pressure on the LoC after about two weeks of ceasefire violations that started after five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani troops early this month.
"Yes, it is true that 367 Indian prisoners and fishermen are being released on August 24," a senior Foreign Office official told PTI.
However, the official requested anonymity as the decision has not been officially announced as yet.
Hundreds of prisoners are currently being held in jails on both sides.
Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry told a weekly briefing yesterday that both "diplomatic and military channels" were being used to normalise the situation.
He said a meeting between the Prime Ministers on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in September in New York would be an "useful opportunity" to build trust and consolidate ties.