20 Pakistanis released by India handed over to Edhi Foundation

Nine fishermen and 11 civilians who were released by India earlier this week were handed over to Edhi Foundation on Friday following security clearance by agencies.

According to an Edhi spokesman, citizens include Ghulam Dastgir Shamal, Muhammad Aqil, Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Sohail, Zulqarnain, Muhammad Mushtaq, Iqbal, Imran Shahid, Manzoor Ahmed, Poorabheel and Fida Hussain.

The released fishermen include Abdul Manaf, Qasim Hussain, Usher, Sher Ali, Salim, Ahmed, Abdul Majeed, Bakhsh Ali and Muhammad Iqbal.

The spokesperson informed that the fishermen were arrested by Indian authorities for maritime violation, adding that they belong to Punjab, Sindh and Karachi.

Moreover, the Edhi Foundation further said that they will transport the fishermen to their respective homes.

Read Fishermen released from India reach home

On May 20, India released the prisoners, however, they had to get security clearance in order to return to their homes.

The inmates were held in various jails and were released after completing their sentences in India.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi played an important role in the recent releases. Temporary travel documents were provided to the released individuals from Indian jails by the high commission.

Earlier on January 1, Pakistan and India exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other's jails; according to which, Pakistan had informed about the detention of 705 Indian prisoners under custody, including 51 civilians and 654 fishermen. Pakistan released 198 Indian fishermen this month.

On the other hand, India had informed about the detention of 434 Pakistani citizens – 339 civilians and 95 fishermen. Pakistan had demanded the release and repatriation of its 51 civilian prisoners and 94 fishermen who had completed their sentences. India managed to release only 22 of them.

Pakistan had also demanded consular access to the defence personnel who went missing during the wars of 1965 and 1971 and special consular access to 56 civilian prisoners from India.

The 22 Pakistani citizens who have been released from India were welcomed by Pakistan Rangers Punjab at the Wagah border.

According to officials, the individuals will be handed over to their families after routine investigations and inquiries, while the fishermen will be sent to Karachi with the Edhi Foundation’s assistance.