KARACHI, July 28: A six-member Indian delegation arrived here on Monday to take custody of the 269 fishermen and their 25 boats released from detention by Pakistani authorities.

The fishermen were detained for fishing in Pakistani waters illegally and later, their release was ordered as a gesture of goodwill.

It is learnt that their boats’ repair was also ordered and 14 of them have already been repaired. The rest are still undergoing a repair.

A fisheries department official said that after completion of legal documents, the detained fishermen would be allowed to leave the country.

Talking to Dawn, leader of the Indian delegation Velji Bhai Moosani said it would take about 10 days for the released fishermen’s repatriation formalities to be completed. The process, he said, included arrangements for visas and repair of the boats.

He said that there were 343 Indian fishermen and 59 boats detained by Pakistani authorities. He expressed the hope that the remaining fishermen and boats would also be released during the delegation’s stay in Pakistan.

He said the Indian government had also ordered release of 93 Pakistani fishermen and nine boats. The process of their repatriation, he added, would begin with the arrival of a Pakistani delegation due to visit India later.