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Pakistan on Friday, May 23, 2008 released 96 Indian fishermen, coinciding with the resumption of the composite dialogue process. During the talks held this week in Islamabad, the two sides have agreed to allow consular access to prisoners still in jail in both the countries. Islamabad had announced the release of the 96 fishermen as a goodwill gesture to mark the visit of external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee to Pakistan.
The fishermen who are released were arrested in the last one year for fishing in the waters of Pakistan and were kept in the Landhi jail. Abdul Majeed Siddiqui, Landhi jail superintendent revealed that presently there are 370 Indian fishermen present in the jails in Karachi. The 96 fishermen have already left the port city of Karachi for the eastern city of Lahore.
An official has reveled that the Pakistani authorities have deputed special branch and court police with the fishermen till they a re handed over to the Indian authorities. The fishermen will be handed over to the Indian authorities on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at the Wagah border.
An official has reveled that the Pakistani authorities have deputed special branch and court police with the fishermen till they a re handed over to the Indian authorities. The fishermen will be handed over to the Indian authorities on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at the Wagah border.
