WAGAH, Pakistan - Pakistan on Monday handed over 134 prisoners, mostly fishermen, to Indian authorities ahead of the South Asian neighboursÂ’ 60th independence anniversaries, officials said.
The Indian fishermen and other prisoners, who mainly strayed over the border, were freed as a goodwill gesture as Pakistan and India prepare to mark the anniversaries respectively on Tuesday and Wednesday. “The return of prisoners will further strengthen relations between the two countries,” Pakistan border force colonel Tariq Janjua told reporters at a simple handover ceremony at the Wagah border crossing.
The group comprised 100 fishermen and 34 others including children who had inadvertently crossed the border into Pakistan and had spent from 10 months to two years in jail, he said. |