It was a tearful welcome for 24-year-old Suresh Kumar (middle), who was one of the 21 Indian prisoners released by Pakistan on Thursday.

Kumar, from Punjab's Nakodar Town, was welcomed by his brother (left) and father (right) at the Wagah border.

Pakistan had released the Indian prisoners from the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore [Images] as a goodwill gesture and it coincided with Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh's four-day visit to Pakistan.

Singh said he had forwarded the list of 203 youths, who wanted to go to the Gulf countries but ended up in Pakistan due to some crooked travel agents.

It was due to the efforts of West Punjab (Pakistan) Chief Minister Ch Pervaiz Elahi that he was able to get the details of the prisoners and the jail they were lodged in, Singh added.

The Punjab CM said Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [Images] had ordered the release of 83 prisoners the day the matter was brought to his notice.

"The president assured that 120 more prisoners would be released within a week. He also assured that 500 fishermen who had ventured into Pakistan by mistake would be released," Singh said. 

Photograph : RS/Saab Press