KARACHI, Nov 1: Pakistan said on Friday it has decided to release 216 Indian fishermen detained for entering its territorial waters, along with their vessels.

Haji Wali Muhammad, a spokesman for the Pakistan Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, said the government issued a release order and arrangements were being made to repatriate the captives.

“This step has been taken by Pakistan unilaterally on humanitarian grounds,” he said, adding the fishermen were likely to begin being sent back next week.

Pakistan held a total of 240 Indian fishermen and 46 fishing boats in the past year because it says they were fishing in its territorial waters. India is holding at least 23 Pakistani fishermen.

“I am hopeful that India will reciprocate and release the Pakistani fishermen,” Muhammad said. “It is the latest sign of easing of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals,” he added.

The Indian workers were to be able to leave Pakistan in their boats in a week’s time, he said.—Reuters/AFP