Pakistan frees 68 Indian fishermen held for trespassing

Published October 29, 2017
Indian fisherman released from Malir jail shows his travelling card at a railway station in Karachi. —AFP
Indian fisherman released from Malir jail shows his travelling card at a railway station in Karachi. —AFP

Pakistan on Sunday released 68 Indian fishermen held for reportedly trespassing into its territorial waters, officials said.

Indian and Pakistani fishermen are frequently detained for illegal fishing since the Arabian Sea border is not clearly defined and many boats lack the technology to fix their precise location.

Indian fishermen released from Malir jail wave from train at a railway station in Karachi.—AFP
Indian fishermen released from Malir jail wave from train at a railway station in Karachi.—AFP

“The fishermen were released from Karachi's Malir jail,” Afaq Rizvi, a senior official from the prison, told AFP. He said 380 Indian fishermen remained behind bars in the country.

Fishermen often languish in jail even after serving their terms, as poor diplomatic ties between the two neighbours mean fulfilling bureaucratic requirements can take a long time.

In July Pakistan released 78 Indian fishermen held for trespassing into its territorial waters.

Indian fishermen released from Malir jail arrive at a railway station in Karachi. —AFP
Indian fishermen released from Malir jail arrive at a railway station in Karachi. —AFP

Tensions between the South Asian rivals have been high since an Indian crackdown on dissent in India-held Kashmir following the killing by Indian forces of Burhan Wani, a young separatist leader, in July. There have since been repeated incidents of cross-border firing, with both sides reporting deaths and injuries.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule seven decades ago. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over the mountainous region.

Opinion

Editorial

World Cup squad
24 Sep, 2023

World Cup squad

THE stress was on continuity — trusting and backing players who had been with the team — as Pakistan’s squad...
Mirwaiz freed
Updated 24 Sep, 2023

Mirwaiz freed

It is safe to assume that the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq could not have been possible without the green light from New Delhi.
Beyond lip service
24 Sep, 2023

Beyond lip service

UN SECRETARY GENERAL António Guterres did not mince words at the recently held Climate Ambition Summit: “Humanity...
IMF chief’s advice
Updated 23 Sep, 2023

IMF chief’s advice

Pakistan's prolonged fiscal deficit, surpassing 7pc, stems from the government's reluctance to widen the tax base.
No closure
Updated 23 Sep, 2023

No closure

WHAT is a Pakistani life worth in the eyes of the state? Clearly not enough, if one were to draw a comparison with...
Missing footballers
23 Sep, 2023

Missing footballers

IN the nation’s living memory, Balochistan’s burns have never run dry. The province has grappled with historical...