Pakistan to release 35 Indians as goodwill gesture

Islamabad: Pakistan will release 35 Indian prisoners in a goodwill gesture on the occasion of India's Independence Day on Friday.

The prisoners include 34 fishermen and one civilian who were arrested by the Maritime Security Agency for entering Pakistan's water and hence violating the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan will hand over the prisoners to Indian authorities at the Wagah check-post, a daily newspaper said.

The government will go forward with the release despite India's refusal to reciprocate.