<p>Pakistan today handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border 172 Indian fishermen and another prisoner released from two jails in Karachi in a goodwill gesture.<br />The fishermen who were released yesterday had been held at the Malir and Landhi District Jail in Karachi for allegedly violating Pakistan's territorial waters in the Arabian Sea.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Majority of the fishermen released were those who had completed their sentences.<br />Their release came days after the Prime Ministers of the two countries decided to resume high-level contacts.<br /><br />In a statement, the Foreign Office today said, "Pakistan has always held that the issue of prisoners between the two countries is a humanitarian one and should be taken in that spirit."<br /><br />"It is our hope that the Government of India would also release all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences," it said.<br /><br />India and Pakistan regularly arrest fishermen who venture into unmarked territorial waters of the two countries.<br /><br />Last month, Pakistani marine security forces arrested 38 Indian fishermen after they strayed into Pakistani waters.<br /><br />Pakistan in November last year released 40 Indian prisoners, mostly fishermen, from a jail here after Sharif shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Modi at the SAARC Summit in Nepal.</p>
<p>Pakistan today handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border 172 Indian fishermen and another prisoner released from two jails in Karachi in a goodwill gesture.<br />The fishermen who were released yesterday had been held at the Malir and Landhi District Jail in Karachi for allegedly violating Pakistan's territorial waters in the Arabian Sea.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Majority of the fishermen released were those who had completed their sentences.<br />Their release came days after the Prime Ministers of the two countries decided to resume high-level contacts.<br /><br />In a statement, the Foreign Office today said, "Pakistan has always held that the issue of prisoners between the two countries is a humanitarian one and should be taken in that spirit."<br /><br />"It is our hope that the Government of India would also release all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences," it said.<br /><br />India and Pakistan regularly arrest fishermen who venture into unmarked territorial waters of the two countries.<br /><br />Last month, Pakistani marine security forces arrested 38 Indian fishermen after they strayed into Pakistani waters.<br /><br />Pakistan in November last year released 40 Indian prisoners, mostly fishermen, from a jail here after Sharif shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Modi at the SAARC Summit in Nepal.</p>