Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has issued directives for the release of 200 Indian nationals who have completed their jail terms, an Indian Communist leader said in Islamabad Tuesday after meeting with Musharraf.

"President Musharraf also issued orders for the release of Indian fishermen," A.B. Bardhan, general secretary of the Indian Communist Party, told reporters at a reception hosted by Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri here on Tuesday.

The visiting delegation of the Indian Communist Party (Marxist met with President Musharraf in Rawalpindi earlier in the day.

Bardhan said that during the meeting President Musharraf ordered the release of Indian civilians who have completed their jail sentences. He added that President Pervez Musharraf also ordered the release of fishermen.

Reports suggest that there are some 800 Indian fishermen in Pakistan while several hundreds Pakistani fishermen are in Indian jails.

The Communist leader said that he will also use his influence on the Indian government to get the release of common Pakistanis who have completed their sentences.

Bardhan said that during his meeting with President Musharraf he found that the president has the qualities of a statesman who wishes to resolve all outstanding issues with India through peaceful talks.

"We are greatly encouraged and the delegation was happy with the results of the meeting," said the Indian Communist Party leader.

President Musharraf wants to show flexibility on the issues confronting to both countries, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2005)