Pakistan’s gesture of releasing Indian fishermen welcomed

NEW DELHI - Welcoming Pakistan’s goodwill gesture of releasing of Indian fishermen imprisoned in its jails, human rights activists appealed for peace between the two nations.

Speaking at a panel discussion here on Wednesday, activists from India lauded Pakistan’s efforts to improve ties.

It was suggested that India should reciprocate Pakistan’s move.

“It is the civil society of India and the civil society of Pakistan which has (have) performed this miracle in these times when the governments of the two countries have not been able to make any headway. So, I think we must recognise it and then reciprocate it,” said Mahesh Bhatt.

Expressing his concern, Aslam Zahid, retired Judge of Supreme Court of Pakistan, highlighted the stark absence of clear and identifiable signs to mark the border in the rough seas.

“The sea waves are so forceful that many a times, the boats drift to undefined borders. There, the coastal authorities catch hold of them. More so, they catch them not for crossing the border but for confiscating their catch and their boats. That is their sole source of income. This is the most inhuman practice on the part of both the governments,” he said.

In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan released fourth batch of 141 detained Indian fishermen.

The officials from the Pakistan Rangers repatriated the fishermen at the zero line, who were later received by the BSF officials.

These fishermen had been arrested by the Pakistani maritime force for violating the maritime boundary between Pakistan and India.

The fishermen were released following the Supreme Court’s orders on a petition filed by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) and the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF).

Even as most of the arrested Indian prisoners have been released but, reportedly, about 15 of them are still waiting for their release order as the Indian High Commission is yet to confirm their nationality. (ANI)