New Delhi, February 4: Pakistan was on Tuesday issued a note verbale - an unsigned diplomatic correspondence - by India seeking the release of 400 Indian prisoners lodged in their jails despite completing their terms of 4-5 years, said an official privy to the matter. The note also sought consular access for five civilian prisoners, including former naval commander Kulbhushan Jadhav whose case is pending at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Pakistan High Commission, which was handed over the note verbale, was requested to make immediate necessary arrangements for immediate release and repatriation of Indian civilian prisoners lodged in Pakistan jails who've already completed their sentence, and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Islamabad. Pakistan Could Be Blacklisted by FATF Due to 'Lobbying by India', Says Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

"The Ministry conveys its deep concern over the long pending release and repatriation of Indian civilian prisoners & fishermen with their boats held under Pakistan custody despite completion of sentence and nationality confirmation," a Ministry Home Affairs (MHA) source was reported as saying by news agency ANI.

"Further, there are 5 Indian prisoners & 385 Indian fishermen lodged in Pakistan jails who have been confirmed to be Indian nationals. It is requested that necessary arrangements may be made for their early release and repatriation," the source was further reported as saying.

Kulbhushan, who was "kidnapped by Pakistan's ISI" from the border region of Iran in 2015, was charged of espionage and sentenced to death in April 2017 by a military court.

The capital punishment was, however, stayed after India moved the ICJ. The Hague-based court found merit in New Delhi's argument, and asked Islamabad to prevent the execution till it adjudicates on the matter.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 02, 2019 11:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).