Karachi, Sept 04: Pakistan today released 269 Indian fishermen after a year in jail, a senior coast guard official said, in a sign of improving relations between the two countries. The fishermen were arrested on charges of illegally entering Pakistan's territorial waters, said Syed Sibt-e-Hasan, a commander at Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency. The fishermen were handed over to Indian authorities in a ceremony attended by Indian First Secretary R K Sharma and Pakistan Navy officials. Sharma said India will release 94 Pakistani fishermen, but refused to say when.
Pakistan and India often arrest each other's fishermen, and many spend years in jail before being released. Bureau Report