India announces release of 88 Pakistani fishermen, after 123 released by Pakistan

LAHORE (92 News) - Days after Pakistan released over a hundred Indian fishermen in jails across the country, India has announced to to reciprocate the gesture by releasing 88 Pakistani fishermen from its jails.

The release of jailed fishermen comes following a telephonic conversation between premiers of the two countries earlier this week.

As per reports, a total of 88 Pakistani fishermen detained in two different prisons of Gujarat state for three years will be released and are expected to be handed over to Pakistani authorities at Wagah border mid day today (Sunday), Pakistani diplomatic sources said. “The Pakistani fishermen would be handed over at Wagah border in two batches on June 21 and 22,” said Ghulam Rasool Sheikh, a welfare officer of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society.

“After release of these 88 fishermen, some 53 Pakistani fishermen are left detained in Indian jails. In Pakistani jails there are still some 300 Indian fishermen. But one should recognise the fact that in a year, we have released some 1,200 Indian fishermen and their 57 boats.”