KARACHI: At least 45 Indian fishermen were released on Friday from Karachi’s Malir Prison and are to be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border on Saturday, said Ansar Burney, Chairman of Ansar Burney Trust International.
He said all expenses to send the fishermen to India would be borne by his trust on humanitarian grounds.
The release is part of an understanding between the countries to free citizens who mistakenly stray into each other’s waters.
The neighbours frequently arrest each other’s fishermen on charges of violating territorial waters.
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Comments (17) Closed
Indian
May 24, 2013 02:30pm
That's great gusture from Pakistan's side. Really appreciate it.
Question for dawn and perhaps all the newschannels across the border is, why you always mention nuclear-armed when you news has anything to do between India and Pakistan? I don't think there is anyone left now who doesn't know this fact.
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Parivel
May 24, 2013 02:51pm
Good initiative by Pakistan.
it is now India to release some prisoner in the similar fashion.
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Papa
May 24, 2013 03:00pm
I am very sorry to read this poor reporting. What do you mean by paying the expenses? Is this the bus fare to get them to Wagah Border which may $2 per fisherman?
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Biju
May 24, 2013 03:01pm
Commendable work by Pakistani on humanitarian ground. How long will the poor man will bear the political hate blunt.
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Shafaq Khan
May 24, 2013 03:29pm
My well wishes to these Fishermen...
"Wo Zinda Laut ke aayen to koi Puchh bhi nhi rha...
aur jiski Lash aayi unhe Sar ankhon pe baithaya gaya"
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R Singh
May 24, 2013 04:11pm
THANK YOU Pakistan
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sama
May 24, 2013 05:19pm
Good job, I hope Pakistan release other fishermen also who accidentally crossed over. But most certainly not convicted spies and terrorists.
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Muhammad Farooq
May 24, 2013 06:11pm
Thanks Pakistan government. I am beginning my day with a good news. However, this report did not tell us about the length of time these persons were detained, if not individually, an average length of detention time on collective basis for them could have been reported with little more painstaking.
Can't the two countries evolve a policy / procedure that once determined that a fisherman has come into another's boundary by mistake, a quicker way of release in such cases is found rather than detaining them for a prolonged period of time. After all, these people have their famalies and astrayed while looking for livelihood. They can make something like Strayed Fisherman Act to govern the process in legal and speedy way with timelines for maximum detention period.
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Muhammad Farooq
May 24, 2013 06:12pm
@Indian:
I agree with you, no need to show off.
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HR
May 24, 2013 06:29pm
Good work pakistan. Now India should release all Pakistani fishermen in Indian jails whose only crime was to be caught in Indian waters.
--Indian
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anony
May 24, 2013 06:48pm
@Indian:
I think such words are used by indian media all the time as well. This is just the way or sensationalize the news a bit more.
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anony
May 24, 2013 06:47pm
@Parivel:
Agreed.
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Lakhkar Khan
May 24, 2013 07:25pm
That is fantastic. A nice gesture!
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Ashok Prabhu
May 24, 2013 11:42pm
Pakistan and India must sign a MOU by which innocent fishermen venturing into each other's territory due to bad weather and storms,etc.should be released forthwith after minimum checks.Patrol Boats also could be deployed by both the Countries in guiding the fishermen losing their way.
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Ashok Prabhu
May 24, 2013 11:47pm
Both Countries must also release each others' prisoners who have spent more than 15 years in jail,that they could serve the remaining sentence in a jail of their own Country.War prisoners on either side could be released after serving Jail for 10 years,on humanitarian grounds.
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Ahsen
May 27, 2013 08:35am
I wonder when the Indian will release the Pakistani Fishermen rotting in their jails and being tortured.
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Maryam
May 24, 2013 07:52am
Very good move by government.
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