The letter has also termed the delay in release of the priosners an "injustice". (File Photo)The release of 22 fishermen from Karachi jail in Pakistan brought India the joy of homecoming, and a letter — which tells stories of “pain and sorrow”, of sufferings and longing.The 22 fishermen, who were detained in Pakistan for “inadvertently” straying into its waters during 2021-2022, arrived in Vadodara on Tuesday morning. Before heading home, the men read out a note from 150 other Indian fishermen, who are still languishing in the Karachi jail. The handwritten note — which not only stated how the fisherman are “losing sanity and health” in the prison, but also implored the Indian government to set aside its “pride” and secure their release — was probably their only way left to communicate, to push for their release.The 150 fishermen are awaiting release having completed their sentences, which has a maximum provision of six months. Their informal letter, written in Hindi, also states, “The Indian fishermen are telling a story of pain and sorrow from the jails of Pakistan… We are about 150, who have been in jail for over two years after completing the sentences… Worried about our release, we are losing physical and mental health, suffering from high blood pressure, respiratory issues and skin diseases. Yet, only 22 fishermen have been called back…”The letter has also termed the delay in release of the priosners an “injustice”. “It is an injustice to 150 of us… There is no one who can understand our condition. There is no one in India who can have us released. There is no fear of our (Indian) government here (in Pakistan). Lives of our families and all of us have been destroyed… It is our appeal that the message of our rapidly deteriorating condition should be conveyed to our government…”Of the 22 fishermen who returned to Vadodara from the Attari-Wagah border on the Golden Temple Express, 18 are from Gujarat, while three are from Diu and one is a resident of Uttar Pradesh.Speaking to The Indian Express, peace activist Jatin Desai said that the open letter was the only way for the jailed fishermen to express their sorrow. Desai said, “There are about 194 fishermen from India in the Karachi jail. Of these, about 170 have completed their sentences and their nationalities have been verified by India. Since the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, there has been a complete pause in the formal communication from the Pakistan jails and so the fishermen are also unable to write letters to their families… The judicial committee, which was allowed to meet prisoners at stipulated periods, has also become non-existent since 2013. Most of them (fishermen) are suffering from TB and other diseases and India has been insisting that our team of doctors be allowed to visit them, but it has not happened. This letter is their way of expressing their anguish…”Citing Section 5 of the Agreement on Consular Access, signed in May 2008 between India and Pakistan that mandates release of prisoners within a month of their nationality being confirmed and completion of their sentences, Desai said, “The Agreement of Consular access categorically says that both countries agree to release and repatriate the fishermen on the confirmation of nationality and on completion of sentences. Since the sentences of most of them were completed in 2022-23 and their nationality were verified, keeping them in prison is a violation of agreement. India and Pakistan should release fishermen from their custody as it is clearly mentioned that they ‘inadvertently’ ventured into the (enemy) waters.”© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Pakistan