Pakistani authorities on Thursday released 145 Indian
nationals from Karachi's Malir Jail as a gesture of goodwill towards
India, even as a war of words between Islamabad and New Delhi continued
in the background on the circumstances in which a recent meeting between
convicted spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and his family took place.
The
freed prisoners, all fisherman who had trespassed into Pakistani
waters, were taken amid tight security to Karachi Cantonment Railway
Station, from where they will be sent to Lahore on board the Allama
Iqbal Express.
The prisoners will subsequently be handed over to security forces at the Indian border.
The Indian prisoners seemed delighted upon learning of their release and have been looking forward to their repatriation.
They also appreciated the way they were treated by Pakistani jail authorities, telling DawnNews
that upon reaching home, they will demand from Indian authorities that
they reciprocate and free Pakistani prisoners held in Indian jails.
The
prisoners were also given gifts and cash prizes by Edhi Foundation head
Faisal Edhi, who revealed that negotiations to have 140 more Indian
prisoners released are underway.
