Pakistan to free 89 Indian prisoners

Islamabad, Pakistan has decided to set free 89 Indian prisoners, a move that comes less than a week after it released an Indian who had spent 27 years in a Pakistani jail.

Gopal Dass crossed over to India from Pakistan April 7 at the Attari checkpost after his 27 years' incarceration in a Pakistani jail on charges of being a spy.

Pakistan will release the 89 Indian prisoners, including fishermen, as a goodwill gesture that would boost ties between two countries, the News International quoted Geo News as reporting.

A Foreign Office statement said the freed Indian prisoners would be handed over to Indian authorities April 15.

India, during the secretary level talks early this month, provided Pakistan a list of its citizens detained across the border, the statement added.