9 Pakistani fishermen released from jail, sent back home

New Delhi

At least nine Pakistani fishermen, languishing in jails in India, were released and handed over to authorities of that country at Wagah today.

The fishermen, who have been languishing in jails for around one and half years, were handed over to Pakistan Rangers at the Wagah-Attari border post, official sources said.

The release of nine Pakistani fishermen came a week after 87 Indian fishermen were set free by Pakistan.

According to an estimate, around 457 Indians are believed to be in jail in Pakistani and most of them are fishermen arrested for territorial violation.

Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz had recently said that 113 Pakistani fishermen are in Indian custody.

Both Indian and Pakistani fishermen are often arrested for illegal fishing since the Arabian Sea border is not clearly defined and many boats lack the technology to fix their precise location.

PTI