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KARACHI, Sept 20: A five-member delegation will leave for Mumbai, via Dubai, on Monday to take the custody of 93 detained Pakistani fishermen, alongwith their nine boats, released by the Indian government.
Vice-chairman of the Fishermen Cooperative Society will head the delegation, which comprises fisheries’ officials and boat owners.
As a gesture of good will, 269 Indian fishermen were released by the Pakistan government, who were sent home on Sept 4.
The 74 Indian fishermen, still detained in Pakistan, will also be repatriated in a couple of days.
A high-level coordination meeting of officials, representing various agencies, will be held on Monday to review the repatriation arrangements for Indian fishermen and fix a date for their return.
PANWAR: Meanwhile, the visiting members of Indian delegation, headed by Velgebai Masani, called on the FCS Chairman Sardar Manzoor Ali Panwar, who is also Sindh Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, and thanked him for his cooperative efforts for repatriation of the fishermen.
Mr Masani said the task was made easier by the FCS with the cooperation of other government agencies.
On this occasion, Mr Masani urged the governments of both the countries to show leniency in the cases of detained fishermen.
He was of the view that fishermen of both the countries unintentionally violate the sea limits, due to inclement weather or some other reasons.
He suggested that instead of detaining the fishermen for longer periods, they must be investigated and in case found innocent they be released immediately.
