Pakistan is all set to release 22 Indian fishermen from Karachi’s Malir Landhi Jail today, sending them back to India via the Wagah border.
The fishermen, who were imprisoned for trespassing into Pakistani waters, are being freed as a goodwill gesture, 24NewsHD TV Channel reported on Friday.
Superintendent Malir Jail, Syed Arshad Ali Shah, confirmed the development, stating, “These Indian fishermen are being released on humanitarian grounds. We hope the Indian government will reciprocate by freeing Pakistani fishermen held in Indian jails.”
It is worth mentioning that on January 5, 2025, both India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody.
This exchange, conducted simultaneously in Islamabad and New Delhi, is part of the bilateral Consular Access Agreement 2008, under which both nations exchange such lists on January 1 and July 1 every year.
According to official figures, Pakistan handed over a list of 266 Indian prisoners (49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen) to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Pakistan has also reiterated its request for consular access to 38 missing defence personnel from the 1965 and 1971 wars.
Similarly, India provided a list of 462 Pakistani prisoners (381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen) to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Both governments have urged each other for the swift release of prisoners who have completed their sentences.
Pakistan has demanded the repatriation of 52 civilian prisoners and 56 fishermen whose nationalities have been confirmed, while India has called for the immediate return of 183 Indian prisoners and fishermen from Pakistan.
Furthermore, India has requested consular access for 18 Indian prisoners in Pakistani custody and has urged Pakistan to speed up the nationality verification of 76 suspected Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.
According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014, including 478 fishermen and 13 civilians since 2023.
The exchange of prisoners remains a crucial humanitarian issue between the two nuclear power neighbours, with both countries under pressure to facilitate repatriation efforts.
Reporter: Mir Kiryoo