Pakistan frees 26 Indian Fisherman

[RayKalm]

AFP: Pakistan frees 26 Indian fishermen after two years

KARACHI — Pakistan on Thursday released 26 Indian fishermen held in prison for more than two years for violating territorial waters, officials said.
The release, described as a "goodwill gesture", comes days after President Asif Ali Zardari met Indian PM Manmohan Singh for lunch in New Delhi on the first visit by a Pakistani head of state to their arch-rivals in seven years.
"We have released 26 Indian fishermen from our jail on the instructions of the government," Nazeer Husain Shah, superintendent of the Malir district prison in Karachi told AFP.
The nuclear-armed neighbours frequently arrest each other's fishermen on charges of violating territorial waters.
Officials say at least 450 Indian fishermen are still in Pakistani jails, while India has over 150 Pakistani fishermen in its prisons.
Shazia Marri, the information minister for Sindh province, said: "They have been released as a goodwill gesture."
Jail officials handed gifts to the Indians before boarding them onto a bus that will take them to the eastern city of Lahore, where they will be handed over to the authorities across the border.

 

[Patriot]

Good Step by the government of Pakistan - No point in keeping them in jail if they are in fact just innocent fisherman.These poor people only step into danger to earn a living for their family.We should only keep enemy spies in jail.

 

[Nothing]

Now return the favor ... we captured 12-15 Pakistani fishermen near Dwarka ... release them... don't use poor ppl fro diplomacy..
or replace with them some politicians .. both side can do same ..

 

[T90TankGuy]

believe a similar thread already running mate.

 

[Icarus]

Good gesture, these people don't deserve to languish in jails for extended periods of time. They are generally poor and their families find it a challenge to make ends meet while they are gone. Best just check them out, if they're clear, then send them back.