Pakistan hands over 151 fishermen to BSF at Wagah border
These prisoners were released from Malir Jail of Karachi and Hyderabad jail on Sunday.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan on Monday handed over one hundred and fifty one Indian prisoners to Indian Border Security Force at Wagah border.
These prisoners were released from Malir Jail of Karachi and Hyderabad jail, where they were detained for violating the Pakistani waters.
On Sunday, Pakistan released 151 Indian fishermen from Malir jail Karachi and Hyderabab jail as a goodwill gesture ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the new Indian government led by Narendra Modi on Monday.
Political analysts said the decision to release the fishermen could be to send positive signals to the new BJP-led government.
Last year in August Pakistan had released 337 Indian fishermen from the Malir and Central jails in Karachi as a goodwill gesture. Another 15 Indian fishermen were released as a goodwill gesture on Diwali.
According to Indian fishermen activists, at present around 229 Indian fishermen and about 780 Indian boats are in Pakistani custody. Similarly, around 200 Pakistani fishermen with 150 boats were lodged in Indian jails.
Fishermen from both countries are routinely arrested and their boats seized by maritime security forces in both countries when they trespass territorial waters jurisdictions.
