As of January 2024, there are 184 Indian prisoners languishing in Pakistani prisons and 81 Pakistani prisoners in India. This project aims to put a spotlight on the plight of hundreds of poor fishermen who are presently incarcerated due to inadvertent crossings of the International Maritime Border Line (IMBL) while seeking a better catch in the sea. The root cause lies in the impoverished state of Indian waters, driving these fishermen into deeper seas and subsequent arrests by the Pakistani government. Despite the Foreigner's Act stipulating their release within three months of establishing identity and nationality, many languish for extended periods due to inadequate representation. Recent tragedies, such as the death of a Gujarati fisherman in Karachi, underscore the urgency of addressing this issue.
As diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan worsen, activists advocate for the timely release of these impoverished fishermen as a goodwill gesture for sustainable peace. Unfortunately, bureaucratic hurdles and strained diplomatic ties hinder this humanitarian effort. In this story, Kanika and Jamaima aim to present a comprehensive view from both the Indian and Pakistani perspectives.
