25 Pakistani fishermen freed from India reach Pakistan through Wagah
The fishermen completed immigration formalities before being handed over to Pakistani authorities. Officials from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi helped with the repatriation process at the border.
Pakistan vows to continue efforts
The Pakistan High Commission said the government would continue working to secure the release and return of Pakistani citizens detained in Indian jails.
“The Government of Pakistan will continue its efforts for the release and repatriation of all Pakistani citizens detained in Indian jails,” the high commission said.
The Fishermen’s Cooperative Society also welcomed the return of the 25 fishermen. It said the released fishermen were from Karachi and Thatta.
“The Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS) extends heartfelt congratulations to the fishing community on the release of 25 Pakistani fishermen who had been imprisoned in Indian jails,” the statement said.
The society expressed hope that “the released fishermen would return to their homes and families and resume their normal lives”. FCS spokesperson Ghulam Rasool Sheikh said the fishermen were handed over to the Punjab Rangers after reaching Pakistan.
Calls for more prisoners to be released
Earlier, several peace and fishermen’s organisations had urged Pakistan and India to release prisoners who had completed their sentences and whose nationalities had been confirmed.
The groups also called on both governments to use Independence Day celebrations to show a commitment to humanity, justice and the dignity of ordinary people.
Pakistan had earlier asked India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners who had completed their sentences. The group included 33 fishermen, according to the Foreign Office.
Fishermen remain in both countries’ jails
The prisoner lists are exchanged by Pakistan and India twice a year under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. The lists are shared on January 1 and July 1 to provide information about citizens held in each country’s custody.
Before the latest repatriation, 53 Pakistani fishermen were reportedly in Indian prisons, while 198 Indian fishermen were held in Pakistan. Some prisoners had remained behind bars for years even after completing their sentences.
The sentences of several Indian fishermen had already ended, including 10 in July 2021, 115 in March 2022, 21 in November 2022, 10 in January 2023 and 22 in July 2024. Their continued detention highlights the difficulties involved in verifying nationalities and completing the repatriation process.
The return of the 25 fishermen is a positive development for their families. It also shows that cooperation can help resolve some humanitarian cases between Pakistan and India.
However, many prisoners are still waiting for release after completing their sentences. Faster nationality verification and regular coordination could help bring more detained fishermen back to their homes.
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