Pakistan will launch 200 Indian fishermen and three civilian prisoners as a humanitarian gesture, overseas minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari introduced on Friday.

Last month, Pakistani authorities released 198 Indian fishermen, languishing in a jail in Karachi after being arrested for allegedly fishing illegally within the nation’s waters.

They had been handed over to India on the Wagah border.

“Today, Pakistan is releasing 200 Indian fishermen and 3 civilian prisoners. Earlier, 198 Indian fishermen were repatriated on 12 May 2023,” Bhutto Zardari mentioned in a tweet.

“This is in line with Pakistan’s policy of not politicising humanitarian matters. Compassion should take precedence over politics,” he added.

Edhi Foundation, which offers funds for the journey price of the launched prisoners from Karachi to Lahore, confirmed the recent growth.

“The prisoners will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border,” an official mentioned.

Sources mentioned Pakistan will launch one other batch of Indian fishermen in July as a goodwill gesture.

Pakistan and India recurrently arrest rival fishermen for violating the maritime boundary, which is poorly marked at some factors.