Pakistan to release Indian prisoners ahead of talks

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ISLAMABAD, June 22 (AFP): Pakistan is to release 17 Indian prisoners on the eve of talks with New Delhi as part of moves towards reviving peace efforts, officials in Islamabad said on Tuesday.
The Indians would be released Wednesday at the Wagah border crossing near the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, the foreign ministry said.
Hundreds of Indians and Pakistanis are languishing in prisons on both sides of the border on charges of spying or illegal entry.
Pakistani officials say the talks between Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir aim to set the agenda for a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers on July 15.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi invited his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna to Islamabad as part of a process of reconciliation between the two countries, who have fought three wars against each other in the last 60 years.
India broke off a comprehensive peace dialogue with Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008 that left 166 people dead. The assault was blamed by New Delhi on Pakistan-based militants.