Pakistan on Monday handed over 20 Indian fishermen, who completed their four-year prison terms for allegedly fishing in Pakistani waters, to India at the Wagah border, according to officials.
Landhi jail Superintendent Irshad Shah said the fishermen, mostly belonging to Gujarat, were released as a goodwill gesture after the Indian authorities confirmed their nationalities.
“They had served four years in jail and have been released today as a goodwill gesture by our government, Shah said.
The Edhi Foundation received them in Lahore and provided them with food. They were taken to the Wagah border where they got through the immigration process and certain Covid-19 related tests. They crossed into their homeland in the evening, an Edhi Foundation official told PTI.
The Edhi Trust Foundation, a non-profit social welfare organisation, made arrangements to transport the fishermen to the Wagah border from where they were handed over to the Indian authorities.
The Indian nationals were handed over to the Border Security Force by the Pakistan Rangers, according to officials.
These 20 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Pakistan Maritime Security Force (PMSF) and handed over to the dock police for allegedly fishing illegally in Pakistani waters.
