ISLAMABAD: Pakistan authorities on Thursday released 145 prisoners from Karachi’s Malir jail as a gesture of goodwill towards India.

The freed fishermen were taken to Karachi Cantonment Railway Station amid tight security, from where they were taken to Lahore via the Allama Iqbal Express, to be handed over to Indian authorities at the Pak-India border.

All of the fishermen had been arrested by the authorities as they trespassed into Pakistani waters.

The Indian prisoners reportedly appreciated the way they were treated by Pakistani jail authorities and were delighted upon learning of their release. They also said that upon reaching India, they will request the Indian authorities to release Pakistani prisoners in reciprocation, as a gesture of goodwill.

Edhi Foundation’s Faisal Edhi also gave gifts and cash prizes to the prisoners and revealed that further negotiations to have 140 more Indian prisoners released are underway.