Freed Pakistani fishermen return home after years of torture in India

LAHORE: After years of imprisonment and alleged abuse in Indian jails, sixty Pakistani fishermen have finally reunited with their families in the southern port city of Karachi.

The freed fishermen crossed the Wagah border into Pakistan on September 9. The first group of 53 fishermen reached Karachi on October 13, while the remaining seven arrived on October 15 after completing government clearance in Lahore.

The returnees were received at the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS) office, where each was presented with a cheque of Rs10,000 ($35.57) during a welcoming ceremony organized by the FCS.

“These men are innocent victims of circumstance,” explained the chairperson of the FCS Fatima Majeed Motani. “They were only trying to earn a living when they drifted across an invisible line. Both governments must ensure no fisherman suffers like this again.”

Years of abuse and neglect
The fishermen were detained between 2017 and 2021 after unintentionally crossing the maritime boundary near the disputed Sir Creek area, about 200 kilometers from Karachi.
Many recounted horrifying experiences of beatings, burn injuries, and forced labour while imprisoned in India.

“I was beaten until I couldn’t move,” said Abdul Qadir, a fisherman from Thatta district in Sindh province. “They pressed hot irons against our legs. One of my friends is now half-paralyzed because of the torture.”

Their ordeal worsened after the May 2025 tensions between Pakistan and India, when Pakistani detainees reportedly became targets for mistreatment.

Human rights advocates condemned the abuse, citing violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which both countries are signatories. The convention mandates a quick release of detained fishermen who cross borders unintentionally, typically after posting a bond.

Painful wait for families
For years, families of the detained men lived in uncertainty and poverty. Many children grew up without fathers, while wives struggled to support their households.
The Edhi Foundation played an important role in facilitating the fishermen’s transport from Lahore and meeting their immediate needs upon return.

“When we saw them walk through the gate, it felt like a miracle,” said Rehana Bibi, whose husband had been imprisoned since 2018. “We never stopped praying, but every day was filled with fear.”
Permanent solutions

An FCS spokesperson said the release was “a moment of relief and celebration” but cautioned that “dozens more remain behind bars.” According to FCS data, 63 Pakistani fishermen are still detained in Indian prisons.

“The Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, along with the Pakistani High Commission in India and the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, worked tirelessly for their release,” the spokesperson added.

While Monday’s celebration brought tears of joy, the scars, both physical and emotional, remain. The FCS and Edhi Foundation have called for a permanent bilateral mechanism to prevent such detentions and ensure humane treatment of fishermen caught in disputed waters.

“These men are among the poorest of the poor,” said Motani. “Their suffering should remind both nations that compassion, not politics, must guide their actions.”

For now, as the freed fishermen embrace their loved ones, the moment is bittersweet. Their homecoming offers relief, but also a painful reminder that 63 others remain stranded across the border, still waiting for their own chance to come home.