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KARACHI: Pakistan on Wednesday released 55 Indian fishermen, 15 of them teenagers, as a “goodwill gesture” to mark independence day in India.
The release is part of an understanding between the nuclear-armed rivals to free citizens who mistakenly stray into each other's waters.
“Some 55 Indian fishermen have been released from our jail on the instructions of the government,” said Nazeer Husain Shah, superintendent of Malir district prison in Karachi.
“Those released include 15 teenage boys,” he told AFP.
The Indians were presented with flowers and gifts, then bused to the eastern city of Lahore, from where they would cross the Wagah border.
Officials say 100 Indian fishermen are still in Pakistani jails and 250 Pakistanis in Indian prisons.
Ayaz Soomro, law minister for the southern province of Sindh on the Arabian Sea, said the releases were “a goodwill gesture”.
“We hope our neighbours reciprocate in the same spirit and release Pakistani prisoners from their jails,” he said.
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Aug 15, 2012 11:29am
sir, it is a nice gesture on the eve of independence. much more could have been done. hope more will be done. kudos to Pakistan.Ameen
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Aug 15, 2012 10:34am
Leave them there and release all of them. Saves the exchequer money. Have more than enough (170m to 180m) already. And there are no jobs
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Aug 15, 2012 02:18pm
you should get it once you cross an international border without passport or visa or valid entry!
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Aug 15, 2012 12:54pm
"goodwill gesture?” why not as a "human right gesture?"
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Aug 15, 2012 12:53pm
I think you mean 66 not 65. well numbers dont matter what matter is the normalcy in relations between two former enemies in all fields.
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Aug 15, 2012 11:58am
I agree! Leave them all and so should India!
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Aug 15, 2012 10:32am
Pakistan is too much kind but not India. Indian government is going to release 2 civilian who crossed the border by chance as there are not boundaries in some areas of Pakistan and India But Indian security arrest them and Put them Behind the bars 25 years ago and now they are releasing when they loss the mind due to torture and become mental then Indian Government contacting Pakistan authority for identification.
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Aug 15, 2012 12:44pm
Yes I agree
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Aug 15, 2012 01:03pm
These poor people should not have been imprisoned to begin with. They are not criminals, just innocent people who accidentally strayed into Pakistani territory. This should be our behaviour regardless of what India does. We should not use poor humans in a tit-for-tat strategy. We should always take the high road regardless of what the other party does. I would advise India to do the same with Pakistani prisoners who are languising in jail.
We are releasing these prisoners in a "gesture of goodwill" and patting ourselves on the back for being so magnanimous. How self-righteous of us? It is a shame that these poor souls were snatched from their families.
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Aug 15, 2012 01:18pm
these people who go to sea for their livings and caught in between two big but empty egos...I feel very pity for them
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Aug 15, 2012 08:17am
Thanks Pakistan!!!!!!!!!! both nations should be kind towards poor fisherman...........
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Aug 15, 2012 08:25am
Why don't we make a international agreement, not to arrest these poor people who are only working, make it simple.
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Aug 15, 2012 08:40am
Good gesture for peace
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Aug 15, 2012 08:46am
it become a good gesture from Pakistan but what about the Pakistanis prisoners who are in Indian Jails.Pakistan Govt must formed a commite who barter the prisonres with India.
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Aug 15, 2012 09:27am
India and Pakistan should behave like civilized neighbors. If a citizen of one country "accidentally" strays into the other country, that person should be directed to leave immediately, instead of throwing him in jail for an extended period of time.
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Aug 15, 2012 09:37am
the number should have been 65 not 55
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Aug 15, 2012 09:55am
I don't get it!! Were they guilty of something or not? If they were, they should be punished. Releasing prisoners for goodwill implies they were being held for no rhyme or reason?
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Aug 15, 2012 03:17pm
It is certainly A Speechless Act,Pakistan should release further 100 :)
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Aug 15, 2012 03:52pm
Good deed indeed.India should reciprocate this action to show to the world that they mean peace with the neighbour.Pakistan should also release Sarabjit singh to win the hearts of Indians in general and punjabis in particular.
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Aug 15, 2012 03:56pm
This is a great act of kindness. May this act of kindness continue and all the genuine prisoners in both countries be released and allowed to join their families. Thanks Pakistan. I am sure, India will also reciprocate. Wish you all a happy independence.
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