WAGAH/KARACHI, May 29: Islamabad and New Delhi set free fishermen jailed for straying across the maritime border in an exchange that began with 59 Pakistani fishermen returning home through Wagah on Monday.

In a similar move, Pakistan is scheduled to hand over 71 Indian fishermen at the Wagah border crossing on Tuesday. The Indian fishermen, who were released in Karachi on Monday, spent three years in prison.

Rangers officials told newsmen in Lahore that the Pakistani fishermen had spent between eight months and two years in Indian prisons. They added that the fishermen were in the age bracket of 16 to 60 years.

The fishermen were warmly welcomed by officials of the Punjab and Sindh governments and representatives of non-government organisations, particularly those of fishermen.

The fishermen raised slogans of “long live Pakistan” as soon as they set foot on their homeland.

Shamsuddin, 60, said he thought he would spent the rest of his life in Indian jails. “I can’t wait to be reunited with my family after such a long time,” he said.

The officials said the fishermen, mostly from Sindh, would be first handed over to law enforcement agencies for questioning before being allowed to go home.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi that the Pakistani fishermen were supposed to be released last Saturday, but their repatriation was delayed after Islamabad said it was not ready to receive them in Sindh.