LAHORE: Pakistan released another 200 Indian fishermen on Friday, bringing the total number of fishermen from the hostile neighbour set free in about three weeks to around 400.
According to Kashmir Media Service, “Today, Pakistan is releasing 200 Indian fishermen and 3 civilian prisoners,” Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted on Friday. He also mentioned that 198 Indian fishermen were repatriated on May 12.
“This is in line with Pakistan’s policy of not politicising humanitarian matters. Compassion should take precedence over politics,” he remarked.
The development comes a day after the foreign office spokesperson hinted at the release of another group of Indian fishermen and civilians.
“The release of Indian fishermen and civilians demonstrates Pakistan’s consistent policy of not politicising humanitarian matters. We also hope that India would undertake similar humanitarian gestures and release Pakistani civilians and fishermen as well,” she said without revealing the number of Pakistani fishermen languishing in Indian jails.
The fishermen released from jail in Karachi are brought to Lahore. The Edhi Foundation bears the traveling cost of these fishermen. They are handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border.
