(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday instructed the release of 151 Indian prisoners currently detained in Pakistani jails and handing over of 57 fishing boats in Pakistanآ's custody as a goodwill gesture, said an official press release.
The prisoners would be handed over on Monday morning to the Indian authorities at eastern Wagah/Attari border, said a press release by the Prime Minister's office. Handing over of the boats is also being coordinated with the Indian government.
Pakistan is releasing all those fishermen whose status as Indian nationals has been confirmed by the Indian authorities.
This is the first time in history of both neighboring countries to release the boats of the fishermen who get caught for the violation of jurisdictions of the territorial waters. According to official figures, there were 521 Pakistani prisoners in India including 168 fishermen and government has demanded several times for their release.
The released fishermen were shifted from the southern Karachi and Hyderabad jails as a goodwill gesture on the eve of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifآ's visit to India. The freed Indian fishermen expressed their gratitude to Pakistani authorities for providing them all necessary facilities including good food and healthcare in prisons.
Sharif will be attending the swearing in ceremony of India's Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi in Delhi on May 26, 2014. Sharif already congratulated Modi over his victory in the election.
The Pakistani premier will stay over night in India and have meetings with his Indian counterpart and President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss Indo-Pak relationship and resumption of bilateral dialogue.
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