Treatment of Pakistani seamen by India a violation of international law: FO

E-Paper | May 14, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday expressed serious concern over the plight of Pakistani seamen in India and said treatment meted out to them was in violation of international law and norms.

"A Pakistani ship was on way to India for ship-breaking when it sank. However, seamen were rescued and taken to the Indian state of Gujarat where they were kept in a police station. This was when the ship's Yemeni crew was accommodated in a hotel," FO spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam told a press briefing in Islamabad.

She said the High Commission in New Delhi was in contact with Indian authorities for the well being of the Pakistani citizens.

"We have conveyed our concerns to the Indian government over the treatment being meted out to our seamen."

Speaking to reporters, the spokeswoman said there was no information regarding a Pakistani boat allegedly carrying narcotics captured by Indian authorities earlier this month. She said India had also not communicated anything to that effect.

Earlier this month, an Indian official had claimed that a joint navy and coastguard operation had intercepted a Pakistani vessel trafficking 200 kilograms — $15 million worth — of heroin in Indian waters on April 20. The boat was apparently headed for the western state of Gujarat, Indian navy spokesman D K Sharma had said at the time.

On questions relating to the changes in the Saudi royal family's line of succession, Aslam declined to comment and said that Pakistan does not comment on internal developments of other countries.

On April 29, Saudi Arabia's King Salman named Interior Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef heir to the throne, replacing Crown Prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud who was second in line.

The FO spokeswoman also said that Pakistan was in touch with Italian authorities regarding the arrests of her nationals charged with terrorism in the European country.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Crown Prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud is second in line. The error is regretted.

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sri

Apr 30, 2015 02:56pm

if this report is true, this is condemnable.. seamen are professionals and not criminals. as an indian, i apologize.

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Ameer

Apr 30, 2015 02:59pm

We rescue their people and send them their home with respect, they rescue our people and captive them. :(

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The Pakistan Lover

Apr 30, 2015 03:03pm

Pakistan rescued Indians from yemen and offered special flight to India..And this is how india returns the favor.

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haris

Apr 30, 2015 03:06pm

Accept it that India and Pakistan treat each other as rivals. All this Amn ki Aasha mantra is a mere eye-wash.

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usman

Apr 30, 2015 03:10pm

india must learn international laws and human rights

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saz

Apr 30, 2015 03:12pm

Above report regarding Saudi crown prince replacement is incorrect as Murqin is removed from his position of crown prince and he is not son of King Salman rather half brother. Please make correction. Thanks.

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Taimoor Khan

Apr 30, 2015 03:18pm

Why our elites and government are bending backwards for India on every front? While we rescue their citizens from Yemen, ferry them to India in a special aircraft, this is what we get to hear from the other side. This non sense must stop now. The personal business interests of our politicians in India cannot be allowed at the expense of dishonoring our citizens.

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Harmony-1

Apr 30, 2015 03:21pm

Unfair treatment to the rescued from a sinking ship. If Yemeni crew gets accommodated in a hotel then no justification in keeping Pakistani crew, from the same ship, in a police station. Sad!

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Shahid

Apr 30, 2015 03:57pm

Lady .......... Ask PM to call Modi again for congratulating his work in Nepal. He might take a look in this matter as well

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Harmony-1

Apr 30, 2015 03:58pm

@sri - Thanks!

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Umer

Apr 30, 2015 04:00pm

@sri Thanks for your comment. I was about to comment something negative about India but then I stopped realizing the people on both sides share the same culture.

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Samad Chaudhry

Apr 30, 2015 04:07pm

My Greek ship s/s Mount Delphi sunk on 2nd June 1958 off Goa coast the then Portuguese enclave. We stayed in a luxury hotel for 12 days pending enquiries by Harbour Authorities and we were very well treated. The crew was rescued by Goa Harbour authorities from Green Island after I had landed on the beach on life boat and reported the even. I sailed for 30 rears and no country in the world ever mistreated us. Sad! for Pakistani sailors in Indian hands

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INDIAN WELL WISHER

Apr 30, 2015 04:17pm

This is wrong behaviour by our authorities and cannot be justified under any circumstances. We are sorry.

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Mattu

Apr 30, 2015 04:18pm

The case of keeping semen in check ...

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zalmay khan

Apr 30, 2015 04:26pm

And pakistan send indians rescued from yemen on chartered plane??? When will we wake up ????

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Naaz

Apr 30, 2015 04:27pm

Pakistan had recently repaired and returned our fishermen's boats:(

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arif

Apr 30, 2015 04:29pm

its very bad

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Factual

Apr 30, 2015 04:41pm

Appalling! Will we sink that low in our hostility for each other that we forget basics of humanity? Is our conscious on leave under the hype of media rhetoric? We may not be friends yet but at least can be honourable foes!

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rattan

Apr 30, 2015 04:41pm

We are sorry. This is not fair.

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Indian

Apr 30, 2015 04:46pm

This is not fair on India's part. Also, India too rescued a number of Pakistanis from Yemen.

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Satender

Apr 30, 2015 05:02pm

If its true then I apologize.

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Awais Ali

Apr 30, 2015 05:12pm

Pakistan rescued 11 Indians from Yemen and this is the reward we are getting from India.

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M. Siddique

Apr 30, 2015 05:20pm

So one report says that Indians intercepted Pakistani boat and put up Pakistani seamen in Police station and their fellow seamen in hotels. The other report said, Pakistan rescued Indians from Yemen and sent them home on a special plane. Is this difference in national character? YES.

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Babloo

Apr 30, 2015 05:33pm

Pakistanis complain even when their lives are rescued by India and saved at sea ?

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Imad Qureshi

Apr 30, 2015 05:35pm

And we rescued their people from Yemen and even offered them a flight back home. Stop bending and start treating them the same way. Next time don't offer any courtesy.

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faisal ishaq

Apr 30, 2015 05:49pm

Sad n sorry to say untill the day we were playing tit for tat things were much better than this..

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nation lover

Apr 30, 2015 05:53pm

@Awais Ali we also rescued many pakistanis from yemen.!!

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Ajamal

Apr 30, 2015 06:04pm

Another Bollywood blockbuster played out by Indian security establishment, after "wine boat" was blown up in the face of Indian coast guards.

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Another Indian

Apr 30, 2015 06:07pm

@Awais Ali.. This is exactly your problem (well.. among many others).. Don't know how to weigh things. We rescued 17 of yours (may be more) from Yemen. Do you hear us harping about it?

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Shailraj Chauhan

Apr 30, 2015 06:16pm

@sri - I feel the same way..Regret such behavior of Indian Authority..

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rabi

Apr 30, 2015 06:23pm

We know this well from India long time. It is not friend but foe and it can not handle its power it is very biased.

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Suresh

Apr 30, 2015 06:25pm

This news is not reported in Indian media. May be due to Nepal earth quake occupying the space. It is possible that the Pakistani crew were taken to police station for reporting as any Pakistani supposed to do. Yemeni crew were not accommodated in hotel, but themselves checked in there at their own cost. Pakistanis in this case are like any other legitimate businessmen, should be treated likewise.

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Apr 30, 2015 06:41pm

Pakistan (especially PM and our leadership) should now get the message, India does not want to be a friendly neighbour, it is a foe and they are proving it by their actions every day. Majority Indian population does not share this view

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Uparwalla

Apr 30, 2015 06:43pm

India also rescued a number of pakistanies from yamen

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Uparwalla

Apr 30, 2015 06:44pm

@The Pakistan Lover India also rescued a number of pakistanies from yamen

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Sunil

Apr 30, 2015 06:52pm

Highly exaggerated by FO about the treatment by Indians.

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Ghaznavi

Apr 30, 2015 06:55pm

And you sent their citizens in a chartered plane on my $$$!!!!!.

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Weirdity

Apr 30, 2015 06:56pm

Not good. They are not criminals.

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Aadil

Apr 30, 2015 07:20pm

@The Pakistan Lover :let me correct you ..it was india who rescue pakistani along with other foreign nationals .Then pakistan came in picture .We dont compormise on our security process .

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haris

Apr 30, 2015 07:24pm

@Sunil Then enlighten us with the real situation.

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Allaisa

Apr 30, 2015 07:28pm

@The Pakistan Lover India rescued Pakistanis too.

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syed wasim haider

Apr 30, 2015 08:03pm

Mr.NZ please inform Mr. Modi.

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ZK Can.

Apr 30, 2015 08:22pm

If we do the same, then we are no better than them. If we have a chance to save human life, then we should continue to set an example. Eventually others will learn.

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LogicalHuman

Apr 30, 2015 08:41pm

You people get too emotional and precipitate your opinions too quick too soon! Nobody knows the facts. Look at it this way.. Indian and Pakistani intelligence agencies are not boy scouts. Pakistanis have made n number of attempts to infiltrate drugs, fake Indian currency and arms into India. There must be something to those boats. On the other hand there are numerous examples of Indian hospitality showered on Pakistanis. Free medical procedures for Pakistani children is one of them. Get smart!

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Indian guy

Apr 30, 2015 08:43pm

Fact is Pakistan has hundreds of Indian Seamen/fishermen languishing in Pakistani Jails. Indians have hundreds of Pakistani Seamen/fishermen in Indian Jails. Both accuse each other of terrorism or Drug dealers. Fact is most of these fishermen are uneducated and have no GPS nor do they know where they are going. All they are doing is catching fish to earn a living. Some times when politicians want publicity, they come and exchange these people and take photos for papers. So no need to feel bad. Pakistan rescued some Indians from Yemen and Indians rescued few Pakistanis from Yemen. Also, Every Pakistani has relatives in India. So just chill

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Mahendra Singh

Apr 30, 2015 08:46pm

The report is misleading. There is a standard law, any Pakistani visiting India or any Indian visiting Pakistan on valid visa too has to report to police station, seamen being no exception. Besides this whole world knows about terror attacks planned by Pakistan in past through sea route. India has to take care of its security. And these seamen were given proper respect after proper investigation.

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Indian

Apr 30, 2015 08:48pm

I don't know the truth but generally in India, police do NOT offer hotels. The Yemeni crew may have paid their own hotel bills and Pakistani crew may have choose to stay free in police station?? Sorry, but Indian police do not have enough budget to provide hotel facilities. Sometimes they (especially rural police) may have to get free vehicals etc type of small favours from local people.

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sreejesh

Apr 30, 2015 09:29pm

India is learning to become America.Remember how indian celebrities treated in US.They do not compromise on security,and we have to abide their law.

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Third Party

Apr 30, 2015 10:00pm

Common buddy !! Pakistan should be thankful to India for detaining international smugglers who would have sold this huge cache drugs on Pakistan soil. In fact implicitly India has curb spread narcotics in Pakistan !!

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Sunil

Apr 30, 2015 10:05pm

@haris There is no such evidence, first of all. If there was evidence, then it should be narrative.

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Apr 30, 2015 10:15pm

@sri As an Indian I fully endorse your views.

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KHALID SOHAIL

Apr 30, 2015 10:37pm

All political parties and top leaders are responsible for the safety and security of Pakistan and masses prosperity. They are busy retaliation of statements of each other and running after the desired objective of money and power. First safety, security and prosperity of Pakistan and later money and power for kids or family members.

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Apr 30, 2015 10:38pm

You all are pakistani...cant see half glass is full..u can only see that half glass is empty....indian servived their lives...and yemenis had money and they stayed on their own...who will give money for pakitsani to stay in hotel...indian tax payers??Just chill and say thanks...pakistan saved 6 indian but india saved many pakistanis...no pakistani can see that...U all need to say big Thanks to your big brother!!

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KHALID SOHAIL

Apr 30, 2015 10:40pm

Corrupt leaders and high officials for God sake leave Pakistan and go to any other world. Masses of Pakistan are crying for education, bread, medical care and shelters. Hungry fox and dog type greedy leaders and high officials are enemy of poor masses, they should go hell with kids and all family members.

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rohit

Apr 30, 2015 10:43pm

Last time few pakistani people landed near mumbai we all know what happened afterwards.

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Apr 30, 2015 10:44pm

Pathetic

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anony

Apr 30, 2015 10:47pm

What else do we expect from india, the shameless country of the region.

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Bolt from Blue

Apr 30, 2015 11:02pm

Don't crib, they were rescued in first place. What if no one bothered to rescue them? Do we know if any arms were found with them or not? Can anyone confirm that the ship did not have hidden cargo of arms and drugs, when challenged, it was sunk? Please understand that in the modern world, no mainstream country is a fool to act whimsically. Sensitive facts are withheld from public due to various reasons.

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priyank

Apr 30, 2015 11:27pm

who cares about its, u have to understand what food majority eats in nepal , what is most neccessary to nepali brothers in this situation ..but yes u wanna continue ur choice ...

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Irum

May 01, 2015 12:04am

@Uparwalla You should try comedy. Very funny man...

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Jimmy Rocks

May 01, 2015 12:06am

Can anyone imagine the plight of the Indian officials if Pak seamen disappeared from hotel? You think anyone would take a chance in current situation? I would have waited for directions from the top. It is also not clear if all seamen had necessary docs. Anyway, there's special checks and info for people of Pak origin visiting India no matter which country's citizen they hold. People are eager to apologize without knowing story from both parties. Duh!

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AbraKeDabra

May 01, 2015 12:43am

@The Pakistan Lover So also India have rescued Pakistanis. India has even treated so many Pakistani patients in her hospitals for free. Don't go with this false statement of your FM !!!!

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Rizwan Khan

May 01, 2015 12:45am

Wrong is wrong, we should condemn it and move on.

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Harmony-1

May 01, 2015 01:06am

@INDIAN GUY – “Every Pakistani has relatives in India”. It just shows how naïve you are or just living in a fantasy world. Vast majority were living indigenously in their local areas for centuries and that goes for both sides. Not every Pakistani migrated from India…duh! There is no credence to rest of your statement either. By simply learning English has not made you educated yet!

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Great giant

May 01, 2015 03:35am

Let's see if Dawn will publish this note. 1. Why was a Pakistani ship heading to India for breaking? And why did it have crew still there? 2. Who rescued the crew? Pakistan did? No, Indians saved their lives. 3. Should the tax payer of India pay for hotel rooms of a pakistani? A pak citizen can not enter india apart from authorised ports, so police had to be involved. Also these crew were kept alive and not harmed. Please be grateful these people will live and not be executed for drug smuggling as in Saudi.

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Vorshal

May 01, 2015 04:48am

Whereas I don't have all the facts and don't rely on hearsay, I would not be surprised if there may be something more underneath that has not been disclosed yet. In my view, India is still simmering from Pak inaction on Mumbai attach handlers and oft-repeated interference in J & K.

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Truth

May 01, 2015 07:54am

Pakistan not only rescued Yemen but few years before Pakistan Navy rescued Indians from Somalia pirates when India refused to help it's citizens.

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