Pakistan is likely to release 100 jailed Indian fishermen on Monday, it is learnt.
Pakistani officials are understood to have informed India that the 100 fishermen, who would be released from prison on Sunday, would be taken to the Wagah border for repatriation to India the next day.
Pakistan’s move comes two days after India sent a ‘Note Verbale’ to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, asking for the release of a total of 385 Indian fishermen and 10 civilian prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails.
“There are 385 Indian fishermen whose nationality has been conveyed to Pakistan and who have been languishing in Pakistan jails. It is requested that urgent and concrete steps be taken to repatriate them to India at the earliest, along with their boats,” the External Affairs Ministry said in the note.
Indications are that Pakistan would release a total of 360 Indian prisoners, including 5 civilians, in batches during the month.
Indian sources confirmed that arrangements were being made to receive the first batch of fishermen. However, there was no word on whether India was considering any reciprocal move.