Four Pakistani prisoners were sent back to Pakistan via the Attari border in Amritsar on Wednesday after completing their sentences in Indian jails, according to officials.
The prisoners, identified as Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Yousuf, Ghulam Muhammad, and Muhammad Akram, were handed over to Pakistani authorities at the Wagah border. They had been lodged in various jails across India for offenses including illegal entry and overstaying visas.
Aslam, a resident of Lahore, was arrested in 2018 for entering India without valid documents. Yousuf, from Sialkot, was caught in 2019 for overstaying his visa. Ghulam Muhammad, from Gujranwala, was arrested in 2020 for similar reasons. Akram, from Faisalabad, was detained in 2021 for illegal border crossing.
All four had completed their respective sentences and were subsequently processed for repatriation. The process involved coordination between Indian and Pakistani authorities, including the issuance of travel documents and clearance from both sides.
“The repatriation was carried out smoothly as per standard procedures,” said an official from the Border Security Force (BSF). The prisoners were escorted to the Attari-Wagah border, where they were handed over to Pakistani Rangers.
This is part of a regular exchange of prisoners between the two countries. In recent years, several Pakistani prisoners have been repatriated after serving their terms, and similarly, Indian prisoners in Pakistan have been sent back.
Officials noted that the repatriation process helps maintain bilateral relations and ensures that individuals who have completed their sentences are not detained further. The prisoners expressed relief at being able to return to their families.
