ISLAMABAD: India rejected issuing visas to Pakistani pilgrims who were to visit Delhi to participate in the Urs celebrations of a revered Sufi saint while Islamabad freed 145 Indian fishermen from prison as a goodwill gesture and promised to set free dozens more in the coming week. The released Indian fishermen were handed over to Indian authorities at a Wagha-Attari border crossing near Lahore. Pakistan decided on December 21 to release and repatriate 291 Indian fishermen in two phases starting on December 29. Pakistan released 68 Indian fishermen in October this year. On Saturday, Pakistan “regretted” the last-minute postponement and non-issuance of visas by India for 192 Pakistanis to visit New Delhi.

Source: Pakistan Today December 31, 2017 15:56 UTC