337 Indian fishermen released from Pakistani jail

Published August 23, 2013
All these prisoners have completed their sentences and they would be repatriated to India through Wagah Border on August 24 as per agreement with India.    — File Photo by AFP
All these prisoners have completed their sentences and they would be repatriated to India through Wagah Border on August 24 as per agreement with India. — File Photo by AFP

KARACHI: Authorities said that except for one Indian fisherman, 337 other fishermen were released from jails in Pakistan on Friday as per announcement by country's Interior ministry a day earlier.

The 330 adult prisoners were detained at the Malir district prison in Karachi while eight minors were detained at the Youthful Offenders Industrial School in the city.

One prisoner whose name was included in the list of 338 Indian prisoners to be released from the District Prison Malir, was not released as his nationalitycould not be confirmed.

Pakistan's Federal Interior Ministry had announced on Thursday that 365 Indian prisoners, which include 340 Fishermen and 25 crew members of Indian vessels, would be released as a gesture of goodwill after confirmation of their nationalities as Indian.

All these prisoners have completed their sentences and they would be repatriated to India through Wagah Border on August 24 as per agreement with India.

Pakistan and India frequently arrest and accuse each other’s fishermen of violating their respective zones in the Arabian Sea.

The goodwill gesture comes amid a recent spike in tensions marred by ceasefire violations on both sides of the Kashmir border and resultant accusations, denials and counter-allegations.

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