Islamabad:
Pakistani authorities are set to release 185 Indian prisoners, a majority of them fishermen, as part of measures to normalise relations with India, officials said today.
The prisoners being released tomorrow include 179 fishermen, and six civilians who were being held in different jails across Pakistan for offences such as illegally crossing the border, officials of the Indian High Commission said.
The prisoners will cross over to India via the Wagah land border tomorrow, the officials told PTI.
The 179 fishermen and one civilian prisoner were being held at Landhi Jail in Karachi.
After being released from the prison this morning, they set off from the southern port city to Lahore in buses. The Indian High Commission has completed all necessary documentation and sent officials to Karachi and Lahore to oversee arrangements for the repatriation of the prisoners.
Pakistani officials said the prisoners were being freed as a goodwill gesture on the New Year.
There are still over 250 Indian fishermen being held in Pakistani jails.
In recent months, both countries have taken steps to speed up the release of prisoners who have completed their jail terms.