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No trace of Indian PoWs: Pak

After a week-long search in the prisons in Pakistan's four provinces following orders from President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Interior Ministry officials on Sunday said they have not found any Indian Prisoners of War of 1971 languishing in the country.

A top Interior Ministry official said in Islamabad that review of the records of the prisons in Pakistan did not come across any trace of Indian PoWs in the prisons.

The search was undertaken following a directive from Gen Musharraf who had at the Agra Summit promised to personally look into the issue.

The Interior Ministry officials expressed surprise over reports that 25 Indian civilian prisoners would be released shortly as a goodwill gesture by Gen Musharraf.

"We have not received any such orders till now," they said.

A section of the Indian press first reported that 35 Indian prisoners were being released and later modified the numbers to 25.

The only Indian so far released was peace activist and globe trotting cyclist Vikas Singh.

According to Pakistani officials, 135 Indian civilians are at present imprisoned in Pakistan for various offences.

Of this, 71 were awaiting deportation and would be released as soon as the Indian government acknowledged that they were its citizens.

PTI

EARLIER REPORT
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Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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