KARACHI, Sept 4: The first phase of repatriation of Indian fishermen, whose release had been ordered by Pakistani government, began on Thursday.

As many as 269 Indian fishermen, along with their 31 boats, were formally seen off at Karachi port at a simple but impressive ceremony, which was attended by Pakistani officials, besides the First Secretary to Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, R K Sharma.

The ceremony was held on board the ship of Maritime Security Agency (MSA). The MSA will hand over the fishermen to the Indian Coast Guards, by Friday evening, about 150 nautical miles off the Karachi harbour.

The released fishermen mainly hailed from Indian states of Gujrat and Maharashtra.

The head of Indian delegation, who had already arrived here to seek the custody of fishermen, Veljibhai Masan, expressed the hope that the remaining 74 fishermen would be released soon.

He thanked Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali for taking keen interest in the matter of detained Indian fishermen and ordering their release.

The Indian fishermen representative also thanked the Pakistan’s security and fisheries officials for their hospitability and concern for the welfare of fishermen.