Islamabad: Pakistani authorities are set to
release 185 Indian prisoners, a majority of them fishermen, as
part of measures to normalise relations with India, officials
said on Saturday.
The prisoners being released tomorrow include 179
fishermen, and six civilians who were being held in different
jails across Pakistan for offences such as illegally crossing
the border, officials of the Indian High Commission said.
The prisoners will cross over to India via the Wagah land
border tomorrow, the officials told a news agency.
The 179 fishermen and one civilian prisoner were being
held at Landhi Jail in Karachi.
After being released from the prison this morning, they
set off from the southern port city to Lahore in buses.
The Indian High Commission has completed all necessary
documentation and sent officials to Karachi and Lahore to
oversee arrangements for the repatriation of the prisoners.
Pakistani officials said the prisoners were being freed
as a goodwill gesture on the new year.
There are still over 250 Indian fishermen being held in
Pakistani jails.
In recent months, both countries have taken steps to
speed up the release of prisoners who have completed their
jail terms.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 07, 2012, 13:24