Pakistan releases 30 Indian prisoners ahead of Independence Day

Days after India released fourteen prisoners from Gujarat jail, Pakistan in a  goodwill gesture released 30 Indian prisoners on Monday ahead of country Independence Day on August 14.

According to reports, among the 30 prisoners, 27 are fishermen who were allegedly arrested for trespassing into Pakistan's territorial waters.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal announced this in a statement, "This is a humanitarian gesture to mark Pakistan's Independence day on August 14".

"It is our hope that the Indian side will also reciprocate in a similar manner," Faisal added.

The released fisherman from Karachi's Malir jail will be taken to Lahore now and then they will be handed over to Indian border officials at Wagah border.

Over 470 Indians, including 418



fishermen, are detained in Pakistani jails, according to a government report submitted before the country's Supreme Court in July.

Earlier in the week, India had also released fourteen prisoners after they had completed their sentence.

Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea and these fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location.

Owing to lengthy and slow bureaucratic and legal procedures, the fishermen usually remain in jail for several months but they also periodically set them free asa goodwill gesture. 

A number of non-governmental organisations in both India and Pakistan have raised the issue, pressing their governments to release the arrested fishermen without delay.