Independence Day spirit: Pakistan frees 55 Indian fishermen

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today freed 55 Indian fishermen from a jail in the southern port city of Karachi as a gesture of goodwill on the occasion of India's Independence Day.

The fishermen were released from Landhi Jail in Karachi. They will be sent to Lahore to be repatriated via the Wagah land border tomorrow, sources said.

Most of the fishermen are from Gujarat. The decision to release them was made by the government as a goodwill gesture in view of India's Independence Day, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Pakistan had released 315 Indian fishermen, including 14 teenagers, in June.

Over 80 Indian fishermen are still in Pakistani jails while some 120 Pakistani fishermen are in Indian jails.

The two countries have stepped up efforts to release prisoners after they resumed their bilateral peace process last year after a gap of over two years in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.