New Delhi: India on Friday released 88 Pakistani fishermen in a reciprocal gesture only a day after Pakistan made the same move, releasing 113 Indian fishermen.

The moves to release jailed fishermen from both sides come following a telephonic contact between premiers of the two countries earlier this week after hostile statements by Narendra Modi and his cabinet members had seemingly soured bilateral ties.

Also read: 113 Indian fishermen released from Malir prison after Sharif-Modi call.

An official said confirmation regarding release of Pakistani fishermen came from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, which said a total of 88 Pakistani fishermen detained in two different prisons of Gujarat state for three years had been released and are expected to be handed over to Pakistani authorities at Wagah border by June 21.

“The Pakistani fishermen would be handed over at Wagah border in two batches on June 21 and 22,” said Ghulam Rasool Sheikh, a welfare officer of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, which looks after legal and diplomatic processes for the release of Pakistani fishermen detained in India.

“After release of these 88 fishermen, some 53 Pakistani fishermen are left detained in Indian jails. In Pakistani jails there are still some 300 Indian fishermen. But one should recognise the fact that in a year, we have released some 1,200 Indian fishermen and their 57 boats.”

In return, Sheikh said, India took the same initiative for only 90 Pakistani fishermen before this fresh batch of 88 was released on Friday. He said none of the 130 Pakistani fishing boats in Indian possession had been handed over to Pakistan during the past year.