KARACHI, Dec 15: More than 370 fishermen are languishing in the prisons of Pakistan and India on charges of illegal fishing.

Coastal authorities of both the countries have been accusing the fishermen of each other’s countries of transgressing the limits of their.

However, the fishermen have always repudiated the claim saying that it is not possible for them to demarcate the sea waters. They said that due to pressure in high seas, they are forced to cross the national sea waters due to safety reasons.

The families of detained fishermen in both the countries suffer worst economic and psychological miseries.

NGOs working for the welfare of fishermen have been urging the leaders of both the countries not to treat detained fishermen as ordinary criminals and consider their cases on humanitarian grounds, because they are not caught committing any serious crime. They urge a permanent solution to the problem. At present there are 280 fishermen detained in Pakistan, caught while fishing in Pakistan sea waters.

Pakistan has already announced their release and arrangements have been made for their safe journey home.

The sources say the Pakistani authorities are awaiting the arrival of Indian officials for the custody of these fishermen. They are also in contact with their Indian counterparts for the release of detained Pakistani fishermen held between July and November 2002.

The Indian authorities have confirmed that more than 90 Pakistani fishermen are currently imprisoned in Indian jails.