KARACHI: Some 10 Pakistani fishermen arrested at sea by India in 2016 for allegedly crossing into Indian waters reached Karachi on Saturday evening after they were released by India.

The fishermen were handed over to the Pakistani authorities at the Wagah Border on November 3.

They were kept in quarantine in Lahore for almost a month following which they were allowed to go home.

At the time of their arrest, two of the fishermen, who have reached Karachi now, were aged 13 and 16. Also five among the 10 belong to the same family. All reached the Edhi Foundation centre near Tower on Saturday where they were received by officials of the Fishermen Cooperative Society.

The fishermen, all of whom belong to Thatta, are named Asghar Mir Bahar, Ibrahim Mir Bahar, Soomar Mir Bahar, Ali Mohammed, Ali Hasan, Ali Asghar, Shaukat Ali, Ali Mohammed Jarhio, Mohammed Mubin and Rustam Mallah.

There are still 102 Pakistani fishermen languishing in Indian jails for having unknowingly crossed over to the Indian side.

Pakistan also released 20 Indian fishermen last month on November 14, who were also vaccinated against Covid-19 while in jail.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2021