Prominent citizens ask India to respond in kind,write to PM

“This is a welcome gesture. We have been demanding the release of the innocent fishermen for a long time. Both India and Pakistan have accepted that these fishermen are innocent. The Pakistan government’s gesture needs to be reciprocated,” they wrote in their letter.

Desai said: “There are more than 120 Pakistani fishermen of which 80 have completed their sentences.”

Most of them are lodged in jails in Gujarat.

The letter said the Federal Government,the Government of Sindh,and the Home Department of Sindh had vide a notification dated August 28,2010,issued orders for the release and repatriation of 442 Indian fishermen,including two minors,to India. The Indian fishermen will be released in batches starting Monday.

The letter further said that a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justice Markandey Katju and Justice R M Lodha had given a significant ruling on March 8,2010 regarding 16 Pakistani prisoners who had completed their sentences. The Bench directed the Centre to deport 16 Pakistani prisoners after they had completed their sentence,following which they were released.

The letter added: “We request you to kindly see the goodwill gesture of Pakistan and a Supreme Court ruling,and release all Pakistani fishermen who have completed their sentences,before Eid. It will strengthen the bond between the common people of India and Pakistan and help the peace process.”