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’
China’s mediation eases fighting between Pakistan, Afghanistan — sources
- China’s envoy shuttles between Pakistan and Afghanistan to mediate in conflict
- Gulf countries that mediated in the past embroiled in Middle East conflict
ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Chinese mediation efforts, including a message from President Xi Jinping, have helped ease the worst fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, three Pakistani government officials said.
The officials said a meeting between the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late last month included a message from Xi to cease hostilities.
Neither side has reported any Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan in recent days and ground fighting along the 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border has tapered off, although daily clashes continue to be reported.
China has said it is in contact with both countries about ending hostilities but Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Sharif who has previously said there would not be any talks with the Taliban, did not respond to questions about Beijing’s efforts.
Pakistani security officials have said the military campaign will continue until desired goals were achieved, which was to prevent militant attacks in Pakistan launched from Afghan soil.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry and military did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Islamabad launched air strikes on Afghanistan on February 26, saying the Taliban were providing a safe haven to militants carrying out attacks in Pakistan. Kabul denies the charge and says militancy in Pakistan is an internal problem.
The Chinese efforts came as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, who hosted talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan during previous clashes in October, have been embroiled in the war in the Middle East following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
“China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Affairs is currently shuttling between the two countries to mediate, while Chinese embassies in both nations maintain close communication with the respective parties,” the Chinese foreign ministry told Reuters in an email.
“The most urgent task is to prevent the fighting from expanding and for the two countries to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”
The foreign ministry added that Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday to discuss the conflict.
China’s ambassador to Kabul, Zhao Xing, and the special envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi this week, the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have said they inflicted heavy damage on the other in the conflict and killed hundreds of opposition troops, without providing evidence. Reuters has not been able to verify the reports.
Beijing, a longtime Pakistani ally, has invested heavily in mines and minerals in both nations.
The investments include over $65 billion in road, rail and other development projects in Pakistan, part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative to expand land and sea trade routes to Europe and Africa.
