Pakistan frees more 147 Indian fishermen after releasing 145 in Dec

Islamabad, Jan 09: In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan on Sunday freed 147 Indian fishermen who were imprisoned in Karachi some eight months ago for allegedly fishing in its territorial waters, according to a media report.

Their release is followed by a December's announcement by Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal that nearly 300 Indian fishermen would be freed in two phases till January 8.

On December 28, Pakistan had released the first batch of 145 Indian fishermen, who were held there on similar charges. The process for returning the 147 fishermen has been initiated, as they were set to travel to Lahore this afternoon on the Allama Iqbal Express from the Karachi Cantonment railway station.