KARACHI, Aug 21: The government of Pakistan will release 338 Indian prisoners on Friday.

The 330 adult prisoners detained at the Malir district prison while eight minors are detained at the Youthful Offenders Industrial School in the city will be crossing over to India via the Wagah border crossing in Lahore in compliance with the government’s decision conveyed by the federal interior ministry to the Sindh home department earlier this week.

The prisoners, whose status as Indian nationals was confirmed by New Delhi earlier, are being released as a goodwill gesture. The government’s decision to release them was announced by Pakistan’s foreign minister during the recent visit of India’s foreign minister to Pakistan for normalisation of relations between both countries.

Meanwhile, the Legal Aid Office headed by retired Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid has arranged for eight luxury air-conditioned coaches and meals on behalf of the Sindh government for transportation of prisoners to the Wagah border. They will be accompanied by representatives of the Legal Aid Office and protocol officers of the Sindh Police’s special branch.

As per the latest official jail population statements, 427 Indian fishermen detainees out of whom three are under trial, one convicted Indian national and eight Indian youthful offenders are confined in the Malir district prison and Youthful Offenders Industrial School.