Prisoners’ release

[namaal]

Friday, May 30, 2014
From Print Edition
The News

In a goodwill gesture timed to coincide with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to India to attend the oath taking ceremony of Narendra Modi as prime minister of his country, Pakistan on Sunday released 151 Indian prisoners from jails in Karachi and Hyderabad and dispatched them on an air-conditioned coach to the Wagah border from where they have re-entered India. In a further demonstration of good intentions, 57 boats belonging to the prisoners – all of whom were fishermen – have also been returned. In a statement, the Pakistan government has stated this is the first time boats have been released. Pakistan has pointed out that 521 Pakistanis, including 168 fishermen, are currently being held in India and hope that its move freeing the Indian fishermen would be reciprocated. Certainly, this should be the case. The plight of fishermen on both sides of the border is an issue that has rarely received the attention it merits. Fisherfolk who have strayed into each other’s waters and been arrested as a result have suffered for far too long. Bilateral agreements aimed to ensure their early release have not always worked out. Given the absence of clear demarcation at open sea, the zeal with which both countries defend the ‘territorial integrity’ of their waters seems farcical at best. But the ones who bear the brunt of this are the hapless Pakistani and Indian fishermen who routinely stray into enemy waters before they are swooped on by marine patrols.

Grinding poverty is the thread that binds the fishing community of South Asia. In economic lives marked by fishing expeditions and no safety nets, a bad haul often means even less food and even more debt. But the disappearance of the primary breadwinner for months or years forces entire families to buckle under. For those who have their boats confiscated by the authorities on either side, the loss is an economic blow they rarely recover from. For those who helm others’ boats, the burden of responsibility is even heavier. Given the complexity of the issues between them – proxy wars, Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and water wars – and their various challenges at home, it will be a while before Sharif or Modi will be able to deliver the peace or trade dividends so ardently desired by people on both sides of the border. In the meantime, however, confidence-building measures such as the exchange of fishermen – or even the institution of a viable mechanism for the same – could be a useful place to start. The Modi government will have the majority support it needs from parliament to push policies through without having to draw in partners. Both countries have indicated they are eager to build a better future. Every small step helps in what will be a mammoth task, and the release of the fishermen is just one step in this direction.