Pakistan to release 51 Indian fishermen as goodwill gesture

E-Paper | June 15, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (R) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso ordered on Friday the release of 51 Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds as a gesture of goodwill. These prisoners have already served their sentences.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting attended by Federal Minister for Law, Ahmer Bilal Sufi, Chief Minister Sindh Justice (R) Zahid Qurban Alvi and senior officials of the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Law and Justice and PM’s Secretariat.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Indian Government would reciprocate the gesture and release the Pakistani prisoners incarcerated in Indian jails.

The Prime Minister was informed that presently 482 Indian prisoners were in Pakistani jails whereas 496 Pakistanis were in Indian jails. He was further informed that the government of Pakistan was awaiting the confirmation of national status of other Indian prisoners.

The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate dialogue with India for the release of Pakistani prisoners and return of Indian prisoners.

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s kumar

May 17, 2013 06:33pm

Namste, Indeed this is a good gesture to who ever had thought and implementing, after we should be good humans first and then nationalist,I wish both nations look at their ,roots and culture.

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Lakhkar Khan

May 17, 2013 06:33pm

This is a good gesture to start with. However, I have no doubt that some misguided radicals will soon wash away the good deeds.

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saad

May 17, 2013 06:56pm

Only if india also releases Pakistani prisoners ,rather than us doing goodwill releases all the time.

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anyms

May 17, 2013 07:15pm

Excellent news...way to go pakistan

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Naveed Khan

May 17, 2013 09:10pm

Pakistan should free all Indian Prisoners and without having any expectations that India would reciprocate. It is will alleviate the sufferings of those prisoners and also remove their fear.

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Adam Khan

May 18, 2013 03:19am

Now this is what i call justice. No human being is any less then any other human being in this world. If we do not take a step forward and be the better person how will the country follow success. We are indicating good relationship with our neighbor country India and that might bring a good effect on the economic level. But however these little things would however give Pakistan a good image and will show how they are concerned about the Pakistani prisoners in India and how they are working on getting them back to their homeland. Good work Prime Minister I can salute you for this, the first prime minister in these 5 years who i can proudly say is the countries prime minister. Good job prime minister.

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May 18, 2013 03:29am

Dear Sirs, It is a good thing that those poor prisoners are released. But look at both the countries govts settling score by using these helpless people. Once the sentence has been complete the prisoner must be released. The documentstions should be completed well in advance so that they are released on the day they complete the sentence. My question here is that should a PM and the ministers should be interfereing with normal course of action of release of prisoners? They have more important job to do for the welfare of their countrymen. Both countries should refrain from using prisoners as a political tool. There have been news of Prisoners of War in Pakistan and if it is true for the sake of humanity they should be released since 65 and 71 wars have becom ethe matter of past. Pakistan has done a good thing and India must do the same. And let it be the last time that PMs are ordering the relaese. Normal course of action sould take place as per the law.

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Pravin

May 18, 2013 05:09am

What goodwill gesture are we talking about. The fIshermen have served their sentence and therefore by law are free to go. It is a immature statement being made by a responsible body in Pakistan.

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Muhammad Farooq

May 18, 2013 07:44am

Good of care taker PM to do so. Both countries should live like friendly neighbours per wishes and aspirations of the peoples of two countries.

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