Indian authorities release 14 fishermen

The fishermen handed over at Wagah border on March 1, they reached Karachi after travelling for three days.

KARACHI: Fourteen fishermen of Sindh, who had been languishing in Indian jail for a year, arrived in Karachi on Friday after their release from India. They were handed over to Pakistani authorities at Wagah border on March 1 and reached at Edhi Center after travelling for three days from Lahore.

The relatives of the fishermen, their friends and office bearers of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) received them at Edhi Center, tower from where 11 fishermen left for their village Jangesar, district Thatta. Renowned social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi was also present there.

Shankar Singh, resident of Thar Desert, who had mistakenly crossed the border and was arrested by Indian authorities, was also released and reached here along with the fishermen.

Abdul Sattar Edhi gave 10,000 rupees to each fishermen while the PFF leaders presented gifts to them.

The fishermen were picked by Indian coastguards when they were fishing in sea on March 5 last year.

Six out of the 11 fishermen of Jangesar were imprisoned in Jam Nagar jail where one of them Ibrahim's son, Ahmed, died of illness and was buried in India.

The fishermen of Landhi were taken in procession by PFF to Ibrahim Hyderi and later sent to Landhi.