Lahore: Pakistan has released 3 civilians and 200 fishermen to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border as a goodwill gesture. Pakistan had announced the release of 500 fishermen out of which 198 were released last month while 100 fishermen will be sent back to their country next month.
The Indian fishermen were released from Malir Jail in Karachi yesterday while the civil prisoners were released from Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. Civil prisoners of India include Babularam Chandra, Harjinder Singh and Balvinder Singh. The civilian prisoners were handed over to the Indian authorities on Friday morning while the fishermen were handed over later in the evening.
The Indian fishermen reached Lahore by train from Karachi, from where they were transported to the Wagah border in Edhi Foundation vehicles. The chief of Edhi also gave food, clothes and cash to the fishermen.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan’s release of 3 Indian civilian prisoners and 200 fishermen today is in line with Pakistan’s policy of not politicizing humanitarian issues, compassion should be given priority over politics.
