KARACHI: Pakistani authorities on Friday released 22 Indian fishermen from Karachi’s Malir Jail, initiating their repatriation process, a police official confirmed, as a leading humanitarian activist urged both nations to adopt a more compassionate approach toward fishermen who inadvertently cross maritime boundaries.
The release comes amid longstanding tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, whose relations have deteriorated in recent years, leading to a downgrading of diplomatic relations. Both countries frequently detain each other’s fishermen for alleged territorial violations, often resulting in prolonged incarcerations.
“Today, we have freed 22 Indian fishermen, who have now begun their journey back home,” Arshad Shah, Superintendent of Malir Jail, told Arab News.
“Once the necessary formalities from the Indian side are completed, Pakistan takes no time in facilitating their release,” he added. “We always strive to ensure that prisoners are kept in good conditions, and once we receive the required directives, they are promptly released.”
Faisal Edhi, Chairman of the Edhi Foundation, Pakistan’s leading humanitarian organization, said he had arranged transportation for the fishermen to Lahore, from where they will continue their journey back to India.
“The Edhi Foundation will cover their travel expenses, and we also presented them with gifts and gave them cash,” he informed.
“We strongly believe that these fishermen, from both countries, often cross the invisible maritime borders unintentionally,” he continued. “When they are arrested, their families suffer greatly. For this reason, we consistently urge the governments of India and Pakistan to release the fishermen immediately and ensure their swift repatriation once their sentences are completed. Unfortunately, many languish in jail for years, even after serving their sentences.”
Pakistan typically repatriates Indian fishermen through the Wagah border. Upon arrival, Indian authorities receive them and, after completing official formalities, facilitate their return to their respective coastal communities.
Pakistan releases 22 Indian fishermen as local activist calls for compassionate maritime policies
https://arab.news/c2md2
Pakistan releases 22 Indian fishermen as local activist calls for compassionate maritime policies
- Edhi Foundation has arranged transportation for the fishermen to Lahore on their way back to their country
- Faisal Edhi says fishermen in both countries endure long prison terms for crossing ‘invisible maritime borders’
Officer killed as police repulse militant attack in Pakistan's northwest
- The militants attacked a police station in Bajaur district that borders Afghanistan
- Police have launched an operation to hunt down the attackers, a spokesman says
PESHAWAR: A police officer was killed as law enforcers repulsed a militant attack on a police station in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, an official said on Sunday.
A group of militants attacked the police station in Wara Mamund tehsil of KP's Bajaur district in wee hours of Sunday, according to district police spokesman Muhammad Israr.
“The police fought for more than 40 minutes before the attack was foiled,” he told Arab News. “Additional SHO (station house officer) Gul Mahmood Din was killed, whereas other cops remained safe.”
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have frequently carried out attacks against security forces and police in the region that borders Afghanistan.
Israr said police have launched a large-scale operation to hunt down the attackers.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP in recent years.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil and India of backing militant groups for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny this.
