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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday formally announced the release of 270 captive Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture during Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna’s visit to Islamabad. "All Indian fishermen who have completed the jail term have been released as a goodwill gesture for Krishna's visit," Adviser to the Pakistan Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik said after signing the new liberalised visa agreement with Krishna here. Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar later reconfirmed the announcement of the release of the Indian fishermen during a joint press conference with Krishna held after the delegation-level talks. "All Indian fishermen have been released, those who have completed their jail terms, and those who are still serving," said Khar, adding that it was a humanitarian gesture on the part of the Pakistan Government and President Asif Ali Zardari. Thanking the Pakistan Government for its "wonderful gesture" of releasing all Indian fishermen, Krishna said: "I hope their boats and trawlers are also released." Last month, Pakistan had freed 55 Indian fishermen from the Malir Jail in Karachi as a "goodwill gesture" on the occasion of India's Independence Day. Malir Jail Superintendent Nazeer Hussain Shah had then said that there were around 70 to 80 Indian fishermen still inside Pakistani jails.

Pak releases 270 Indian fishermen during Krishna’s visit