145 Indian fishermen make way home

Were released as a goodwill gesture by Pakistani authorities

LAHORE: A total of 145 Indian fishermen, who were freed by Pakistani authorities from Malir Jail on Thursday as a good will gesture, were handed over to neighbouring authorities at the Wagah Border on Friday.

They were imprisoned after being arrested by authorities after reportedly crossing into Pakistani waters.

From Karachi, they were sent to Lahore through Allama Iqbal Express amid strict security arrangements. Edhi Foundation bore all the travel expenses of the released prisoners and provided them with food and clothes. They were also gifted Rs5,000, Edhi Spokesperson Adeel Janjua to The Express Tribune.



The prisoners reached Lahore Railway Station at noon. From there, they were transported to Wagah Border through special buses. At the border, Pakistani authorities handed them over to Indian authorities.

Exchange of imprisoned fishermen by India and Pakistan continued. The accidental crossing over into each other’s borders was quite common by fishermen from both countries.

Fishermen also did not use modern navigation facilities while out at sea. Fishermen, in search of fish, would go into deep waters, crossed sea borders and were arrested by marine security of both countries.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum and other such organisations on both sides are fighting for rights of fishermen. They aim to update laws dealing with crossing into sea waters.



They demanded that fishermen be released immediately after paying a certain amount of fines, under international laws.

The activists urged authorities not to arrest the fishermen or confiscate their boats.

They also demanded both countries bring these people into the 21st century fishermen by providing GPRS-based navigation facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2017.