22 Indian fishermen set free
Indian fishermen queue to depart a railway station in Karachi on November 9, 2023, after their release by Pakistani authorities. PHOTO: AFP
The authorities on Friday released 22 Indian fishermen and handed them over to Indian authorities at the Wagah Border in Lahore.
The fishermen, released from the Landhi Jail, were transported to Lahore by bus. Three of the released fishermen are Muslims while rest are Hindus.
The authorities stated that the Indian fishermen were detained by Pakistani authorities had arrested the Indian fishermen for illegally fishing in Pakistani waters about three years back. They have been released on humanitarian grounds, the authorities said.
The Edhi Foundation has borne all travel expenses of the released Indian fishermen from Karachi to Lahore and also gave gifts to them while leaving.
In response to the Pakistani government's goodwill gesture, the Pakistani fishing community has called on the Indian government to release Pakistani fishermen who have been in Indian jails for years.
"Our families are deeply worried. They have been waiting for their loved ones for years," said Mehran Ali Shah, Chairman of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF).
Shah praised the Pakistani government's consistent humanitarian approach of releasing Indian fishermen.
"This is not the first time the Pakistani government has shown such a gesture. We hope the Modi government will respond in the same way and release our innocent fishermen at the earliest."
The PFF has been advocating for the rights of detained fishermen for over three decades, urging both governments to address the issue in accordance with the international law.
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