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GV PAN EXT. U.N. building
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CU Mr Shabi speaks
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SHABI:"In accordance with the agreement reached on 9th January, the Pakistan Government flew into India a number of Indian prisoners of war who had been wounded, but the Indians did not reciprocate. And unfortunately, for these reasons, arrangements for .....to carry on repatriation of the other sick and wounded prisoners have been held up. The latest incident involving the killing of Pakistan prisoners of war is the culmination of long series of harassments and denials of human rights to the Pakistani prisoners. The Government of pakistan holds the Government of India wholly responsible for the safety of the prisoners in their custody. We have taken up this matter with the international committee of the Red Cross and with the Swiss Government which is acting as the protecting power in India of Pakistan's interests."




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Background: At the United Nations, the Pakistan Ambassador Mr. Agha Shabi, has met newsmen to condemn this week's shooting of Pakistan prisoners-of-war by Indian guards.

Mr Shabi talked to the reporters on Friday (10 March).

The first protest about the shootings came from Pakistan earlier in the week. India immediately announced that it had ordered an enquiry into the allegation. As the Pakistan ambassador was speaking to newsmen in New York, India confirmed that twelve Pakistani prisoners-of-war had been shot dead by prison guards on Tuesday (7 March).

About 90-thousand Pakistani troops are being held in camps in India.