By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan has released 100 imprisoned Indian fishermen as part of a goodwill gesture that would see the phase-wise release of 260 more Indian nationals during the month of April, according to media reports.
The fishermen were arrested over previous several years for trespassing into Pakistani waters and violating international maritime limits.
The released prisoners were taken to the Karachi Cantonment Railway Station amid tight security arrangements where they boarded the Lahore-bound Allama Iqbal Express.
The Indian nationals were given gifts and provided travel expenses by the charity organization, Edhi Foundation. From Lahore, they would be taken to the Wagah Border for handover to Indian authorities.
Pakistan’s foreign office had announced two days ago that Pakistan would release 360 Indian prisoners, including 355 fishermen and five civilians, during the month of April.
“The prisoners will be released in four batches, scheduled as 100 each on April 8, April 15 and April 29 while 60 prisoners, including 55 fishermen and five civilians, will be freed on April 29,” Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said at a weekly press briefing in the capital, Islamabad .
“The decision has been taken for 360 out of the total of 537 Indian prisoners who have completed their sentence,” said the spokesperson.
“Pakistan expects India will respond to the gesture by releasing 347 Pakistani prisoners, including 249 civilians and 98 fishermen, currently languishing in Indian jails,” Dr Faisal had hoped.
