New Delhi – 30 Indian Prisoners including 27 fishermen were on Monday handed over to Indian Authorities by Pakistan, Indian officials confirmed.
“Pakistan today released 30 Indian prisoners as a goodwill gesture.
“The prisoners, including 27 fishermen, were handed over to Indian officials at Wagah border,’’ an official said.
Islamabad described the move as a humanitarian gesture and expected a similar response from New Delhi.
“This is a humanitarian gesture to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day on Aug. 14.
“It is our hope that the Indian side will also reciprocate in a similar manner,’’ a Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s statement said.
According to Indian officials as per a government report submitted in country’s top court in July, over 470 Indians, including 418 fishermen, were languishing in Pakistani jails.
Fishermen of the two countries are often jailed for accidentally crossing into each other’s territory.
The fishermen traverse poorly defined boundary in the international waters as most fishing boats lack technologies to locate exact positions.
