Pakistan releases 172 Indian fishermen

BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) — Pakistan has released 172 Indian fishermen, who were arrested for violating Pakistani territorial waters in the Arabian Sea.

The Indian fishermen were held in a jail in Karachi, though it was unclear how long.

A prison official said their release on Sunday was as a goodwill gesture, reports Xinhua.

The freed fishermen will travel to the eastern city of Lahore, from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah, the only active border crossing between the neighbours.

Such arrests are frequently carried out by both countries, as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined, and many fishing boats lack the technology needed to be certain of their precise location.

India and Pakistan have held many talks on this, but no common ground has been reached