68 Indian fishermen reach India via Wagah Border

Pakistan released the prisoners as a goodwill gesture on humanitarian grounds

LAHORE: At least 68 Indian fishermen, who were released by Pakistani authorities as a goodwill gesture, were handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on Monday.

The fishermen, who were released from Landhi Jail on October 29 (Sunday), reached Lahore Railway Station through a special train on Monday afternoon.

Their travel expenditure was paid by the Edhi Foundation. From Lahore Railway Station, they were then shifted to Wagah Border through a special bus heavily guarded by law enforcement agencies.

Apart from arranging the bus, the foundation also arranged food for these fishermen and presented them gifts. The fishermen showed happiness on being released and going back to their home. They also paid their gratitude to the Edhi Foundation. From the border, they were handed over to Indian authorities.

The ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release said, “The Government of Pakistan has decided to release 68 Indian prisoners (fishermen) on October 30, 2017 to be repatriated via Wagha Border. Pakistan has released them as a goodwill gesture on humanitarian grounds.

These fishermen were held for crossing into Pakistani waters. Earlier, Pakistan had also released two Indian civil prisoners on October 13, 2017.”

Pakistan had always maintained that humanitarian issues should be facilitated and not politicised, the document added.

Crossing of international waters and entering into marine borders of other country by Indian or Pakistani fishermen was a common phenomenon. Every year, hundreds of Indian and Pakistani fishermen get arrested by marine authorities of both the countries for crossing international borders. Boats of the victims were also confiscated on arrest and had to spend several months/years in jails.

The issue had been highlighted by many human rights organisations of fishermen in Pakistan and India. They were of the view that the fishermen were illiterate and there existed no clear demarcated boundaries in sea. They did not know when they had mistakenly crossed into waters of other country. Fish had also moved into deep waters away from beach due to urban pollution etc. The search of fish prompted these fishermen to enter into boundaries of other countries.

Human rights organisations protested to the governments time and again to devise a mechanism where the fishermen were not taken into custody for long and their boats were not captured. They claim that they should be released after paying fine on immediate basis with their impounded boats as it was their only source of income.

They have also requested the government authorities to provide modern navigational facilities that were connected with GPS system to inform fishermen about their position and boundaries.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2017.