The 22 Indian fishermen who have been incarcerated in Malir Jail in Karachi, Pakistan, have now been released. A local newspaper quoted Malir Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah regarding the release of the fishermen, who said that the fishermen were released on Friday after completing their sentence. They can be handed over to India today.
According to Pakistani media, Edhi Foundation Chairman Faisal Edhi arranged transport for the fishermen to get to Lahore. He bore the travel expenses of the fishermen and provided them with gifts and cash. The fishermen will travel back to India from Lahore.
Edhi Foundation requests compassionate approach by governments
In fact, Edhi Chairman Faisal propounded this compassionate approach of governments for these fishermen, who crossed the maritime border inadvertently. Edhi has further conveyed the sorrow of the families due to the long imprisonment of these fishermen and requests the early release and repatriation once they served their terms.
Pakistani officials send fishermen back through Wagah border
Let us tell you that Pakistani officials send Indian fishermen back through the Wagah border, where Indian officials facilitate their return home after completing the formalities. Both countries regularly arrest fishermen, who often inadvertently cross the demarcated maritime boundaries.
266 Indian prisoners in Pakistan, 462 in India
On January 1, the two countries exchanged lists of prisoners, according to which – there are 266 Indian prisoners in Pakistan, including 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen. At the same time, some 462 Pakistani prisoners are lodged in Indian jails, including 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen.
