Pakistan releases 45 Indian fishermen as goodwill gesture

[farhan_9909]

KARACHI: The Pakistan government on Friday released 45 Indian fishermen, including three children and three other disabled persons.
Ansar Burney and activists of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) received the freed fishermen, who later left Karachi by a bus to reach Wagah Border, Lahore. They will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border on Saturday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Justice (R) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso announced to release 51 Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds as a gesture of goodwill. These prisoners have already served their sentences.

However, the government released 45 fishermen, as six others have yet to complete their term of sentence. These fishermen were caught under the common crime of violating sea territory and served time in jail for seven to nine months.

The 42 fishermen were released from Malir jail, while three others were in Juvenile Jail, Karachi.

Among the released fishermen were three minor children, including Vipal son of Raja Bamaniya, Ramesh son of Varjan and Akshay son of Nanu. The children had the similar stories, saying they belong to poor families and being the only bread-earners of the family they earn living through this job. After a seven month stay in Pakistani jails, away from their family, they were happy after being released.
Fishing is their family profession, they said. They do not have a better alternative to earn. Their parents are unable to work; hence the conditions forced them to leave their education and join fishing for their livelihood.

They narrated horrible tales, while they were caught by border security forces and put in jail for several months.
Disabled persons narrating the plight said they cannot perform hard work. They joined boats and helped crew members in pulling nets and earned little to run their families.

There were a total of 479 Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails, out of which 45 were released, while others are still waiting to return to their homes. There are 496 Pakistanis in Indian jails, including 223 fishermen.


Pakistan releases 45 Indian fishermen as goodwill gesture – The Express Tribune

 

[Blackwater]

:sarc:op:mg:mg:

 

[ladder]

The author of this article has written this in a tone akin to release of caged pigeon in the name of peace, during rallies.
If majority of the released fishermen had completed their sentence then how it amounts to goodwill?
If after completion of sentence these men languish in jails then it's time to strengthen the institutional mechanism rather scoring brownie points on their release ahead of some politicians visit to India or commemoration of important days.
To link their release to political event is bad and even worse is expecting reciprocation which even sidelines the loose mechanism which is in place now.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

I don't know what the applicable laws are, but imprisonment seems wrong for the crime of violating sea territory. Fines and confiscation of their vessels are more reasonable.

 

[rock127]

:sarc:opmg:

Seems like the recent Paki prisoner tit for tat killing had some effect.

 

[ladder]

I don't know what the applicable laws are, but imprisonment seems wrong for the crime of violating sea territory. Fines and confiscation of their vessels are more reasonable.

I also don't know the rules specifically but I feel the clause for imprisonment are in place due to repetitive nature of these violations.
Also spying and transgressing through sea route can't be ruled out given the nature of the relationship between both countries.
To add to it many arrests take place near the disputed area of Sir Creek.

Imprisonment itself is not for long but delay in court proceeding takes lot of time.
Also illegal detention after completion of their term is common.
Sometimes they are used as instruments for scoring political points.

This kind of arrests takes place at India-Srilanka maritime boundary but release is quite fast.But that also is not free from it's share of trouble and politics