So long: Indian fishermen reunited with families

LAHORE: Authorities have released 86 Indian fishermen, who had strayed into Pakistani waters, as a goodwill gesture. They arrived from Karachi in Lahore on a special train on Monday. The fishermen had been incarcerated at Landhi Jail in Karachi. Edhi Foundation bore travel expenses for them to arrive in Lahore on the Business Express. Edhi Foundation also hosted a breakfast for them. They were later taken to the Wagha Border. Edhi Foundation gave them Rs5,000 each and clothes as a gift. At the Wagha Border, relevant authorities escorted them to the Border Security Force. The fishermen said that they were excited to be reunited with their families again. A spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation said they appreciated the goodwill gesture and urged Indian authorities to release Pakistani prisoners who had crossed the border inadvertently.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2016.