KARACHI: Pakistan on Sunday released 220 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture on Christmas, which comes amid strain in ties after the recent cross border terror incidents.
These fishermen were arrested by Pakistani authorities for trespassing into Pakistan’s territorial waters, an official of the Karachi’s Malir prison.
The fishermen were released from Malir District Jail, Karachi. The fishermen were facilitated by the Edhi Foundation, according to Edhi’s spokesman.
The fishermen were taken to the Cantt Station from where they departed for Lahore via Allama Iqbal Express train.
“We released 220 Indian fishermen today as a goodwill gesture,” said Malir Jail Deputy Superintendent Hassan Sehto.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life,” Modi said.
The Indian premier’s birthday wishes come as tensions simmer between Pakistan and India amid intermittent ceasefire violations across the Line of Control and Working Boundary following an alleged ‘surgical strike’, unrest in Kashmir and the Uri army base attack.
The Pathankot air base attack occurred just days after Modi’s surprise visit and India alleged the involvement of Jaish-e-Muhammad in the attack. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif celebrated his birthday by cutting cake with close family members.
Photos tweeted by Maryam Safdar show him slicing cake with his wife and mother. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai, notorious for his anti-Pakistan tirade, also wished Nawaz on Twitter.
