Pakistan to hand over 173 prisoners to India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will hand over 173 Indian prisoners jailed in Pakistan to Indian authorities at the Wagah border crossing on Monday, the Pakistani Foreign Office said.

“Pakistan is releasing 173 Indian prisoners (including 172 fishermen) today, who will be repatriated to India through Wagah,” said a statement from the Foreign Office.

The prisoners included 172 Indian fishermen who had been held for violating territorial waters in the Arabian Sea.

The fishermen were released “as a goodwell gesture”, said Muhammad Hassan Sehto, superintendent of Malir district jail in Karachi where the fishermen were held.

The 172 freed fishermen traveled by train to Lahore, from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border crossing later today.

Pakistan hopes India will reciprocate

Security forces of both countries frequently arrest fishermen who stray over into the other side of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea, which is poorly defined. Many fishing boats also lack the technology needed to be certain of their precise location.

The detained fishermen often languish in jail even after serving their prison terms.

“Pakistan has always held that the issue of prisoners between the two countries is a humanitarian one and should be taken in that spirit,” said the Foreign Office.

Pakistan hopes the government of India would reciprocate the gesture by “releasing all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences”, said the statement.

The release followed a cricket blockbuster World Cup match on Sunday between Pakistan and India in Adelaide, Australia.

Pakistan had last released 40 Indian prisoners on Nov 29, 2014.