Islamabad, Zubair kasuri – In a move of goodwill, the Pakistani government has released 22 Indian fishermen who were held in custody for several years. The fishermen were handed over to Indian authorities today at the Wagah border crossing.
The released fishermen were arrested off the coast of Karachi for illegal fishing in Pakistani waters. According to sources, some of the fishermen have been suffering from serious health issues, including cancer. The Pakistani government decided to release them on humanitarian grounds.
Government officials confirmed that the fishermen were given consular access multiple times before their release. The decision to free them was made as a gesture of goodwill and to promote peaceful relations between the two countries.
The Interior Minister, Syed Mohsin Naqvi, instructed the Interior Secretary, Khurram Agha, to take immediate action for the release of the fishermen. The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Salman chaudhary, and the Deputy Secretary, shireen Hina aling with Section Officer Muhammad Saqib, oversaw the legal proceedings and ensured the fishermen were handed over to India within a day.
