Pakistan Releases 22 Indian Fishermen, Repatriation Likely on Saturday

Islamabad, February 22: Pakistani authorities have released 22 Indian fishermen from Malir Jail in Karachi, with plans to hand them over to India on Saturday, according to local reports.

The Superintendent of Malir Jail, Arshad Shah, informed 'Express Tribune' that the fishermen were released on Friday after completing their sentences. The Eidi Foundation, led by Faisal Eidi, arranged transportation for the released fishermen to Lahore, from where they will continue their journey back to India.

Eidi highlighted the hardships faced by the fishermen's families during their prolonged imprisonment and called for their immediate release and swift repatriation upon sentence completion.

Typically, Pakistani officials escort Indian fishermen to the Wagah border, where Indian authorities complete the official formalities for their return home.

The arrest of fishermen from both countries is a recurring issue, as they often inadvertently cross maritime boundaries while fishing, leading to detention in the neighboring nation's waters.

According to the exchange of prisoner lists between the two nations on January 1, Pakistan currently holds 266 Indian prisoners, including 217 fishermen, while India has 462 Pakistani prisoners, of which 81 are fishermen.

The repatriation process aims to ease tensions and uphold humanitarian principles, ensuring the safe return of the detained fishermen to their families.