Fishermen are not involved in any illegal activities; both nations should prioritize their release
Karachi, Sindh
The fishermen community has urged the Indian government to promptly release the Pakistani fishermen currently held in Indian jails.
Mehran Ali Shah, Chairman of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), in a statement on Friday Nov 10, 2023 commended Pakistan’s friendly act of releasing 80 Indian fishermen and appealed to Indian authorities to reciprocate by freeing the Pakistani fishermen languishing there since long.
Shah revealed that approximately 74 Pakistani fishermen have been incarcerated in Indian jails for years, and urged India to release them as a goodwill gesture.
He stressed that these fishermen are not involved in any illegal activities, and both nations should prioritize their release through diplomatic channels.
The PFF chairman called on philanthropists to assist the families affected by this situation, as the PFF endeavors to support them with limited resources.
It is pertinent to mention that as a gesture of goodwill, the government of Pakistan released at least 80 Indian fishermen from the District Prison Malir Karachi on Thursday Nov 9 and sent them back to India through the Wagah border in Lahore.
The fishermen, detained in the jail for the past three to four years for crossing Pakistani waters while fishing, boarded the Allama Iqbal Express which departed from the Cantonment Railway Station for Lahore. (PR)
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