India urged to release detained fishermen

The Pakistani authorities promptly release the Indian fishermen on completion of their sentence an action the Pakistani fishermen's community would like to see reciprocated by the Indian authorities.

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Mehran Ali Shah, Chairman of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), praised Pakistan's release of 80 Indian fishermen and appealed to India to reciprocate by freeing their Pakistani counterparts. Shah emphasised that approximately 74 Pakistani fishermen have been in Indian jails for years, highlighting their innocence and urging diplomatic efforts for their release. He also called on philanthropists to assist affected families, as the PFF works to support them with limited resources. Notably, Pakistan released 80 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture, returning them via the Wagah border in Lahore after years of detention for crossing Pakistani waters.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2023.