Karachi, August 4: Pakistani PM-Elect Imran Khan has decided to release 27 Indian fishermen from Pakistan prisons on August 12, a day after his swearing-in ceremony. According to a report published in Mid-Day, a letter was exchanged between Pakistani and Indian authorities which stated that the fishermen would be released from a Karachi prison. The prisoners then would be taken to Lahore on August 12.

The letter also gives details about food and travel arrangements of the Indian fishermen from Karachi to Lahore. The prisoners who have served jail term between 16 to 24 months would enter India by road from the Wagah border on August 13, the eve of Pakistan's Independence Day. According to the report, the names of the fishermen were not released till the time of going to press. Most of the prisoners are from Gujarat and Diu.

They were arrested by Pakistani forces when they had inadvertently entered into Pakistani waters. Jatin Desai, a veteran journalist from Mumbai, who is associated with organisations that work towards ensuring peace between the neighbours through citizens' initiatives, told Mid-Day that the fishermen would be released in Lahore on August 12 and then taken to Wagah border by the next afternoon. "

Imran Khan will be sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on August 11. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has emerged out as the single largest party in the General Elections 2018. The cricketer-turned-politician in his post-poll speech on July 26, said that he wanted to improve ties with India. In a televised speech after the elections, he said that every step that India takes would be matched with two steps by Pakistan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2018 07:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).