Citing it as ‘goodwill gesture’, Pakistan releases Indian fishermen
Karachi, April 13: Dwelling into the current scenario between India and Pakistan, situation has been quite tough and serious. But, the two countries never fail to surprise everyone with their intuitive developments. In a latest, Pakistan released 100 Indian fishermen as a ‘goodwill gesture’. Escalating tensions after the Pulwama terror attack, Pakistan tried hard to pacify things and cover up the act.
The fishermen form the first batch of 360 Indian prisoners Pakistan has announced to set free in four phases this month. Under heavy security, the released prisoners were taken to the Karachi Cantonment Railway Station where they boarded the Allama Iqbal Express for Lahore. From Lahore, they would be taken to the Wagah Border for handover to the Indian authorities.
The prisoners were arrested for trespassing into the country's territorial waters and violating international maritime limits. They were given gifts and provided travel expenses by the Edhi Foundation, a non-profit social welfare organisation in Pakistan.
Last week, Pakistan announced that it will release 360 Indian prisoners, mostly fishermen, this month in four phases, as a "goodwill gesture". Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said the process of releasing the Indian fishermen will start on April 8 when 100 prisoners will be released.
Another 100 will be released in the second phase on April 15 and in the third phase on April 22, another 100 will be set free. The fourth and last phase on April 29 will see the release of the remaining 60 prisoners.
Pakistan and India frequently arrest fishermen as there is no clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea and these fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location. Owing to the lengthy and slow bureaucratic and legal procedures, the fishermen usually remain in jail for several months and sometimes years.