The Indian government on Friday approved the release of 58 Pakistani fishermen on the eve of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. Pakistan had recently freed 442 Indian fishermen. "The Home Ministry has ordered the release of 58 Pakistani fishermen from Indian jails. The fishermen would be allowed to return to Pakistan through the international border at Wagah," the Indian media reported.
India has acknowledged Pakistan's gesture in releasing 442 of its fishermen and in turn announced the repatriation of Pakistani nationals lodged in jails here. In a letter to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna had conveyed the deep appreciation of people and the government on the release of the 442 fishermen.