KARACHI, Jan 28: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has called for release of all detained fishermen languishing in the prisons of India and Pakistan on charges of crossing the water zone of their respective country for fishing.

Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, PFF chairman Mohammad Shah said fishermen of both the countries had been detained and tortured by the security agencies on charges of crossing the water zone of their respective country. For years they were not produced in any court, he said.

Mr Shah said that since there was no visible demarcation in sea water between the two countries, the fishermen of both the countries strayed into the water zone of other countries due to inclement weather in search of fish. He urged the governments of India and Pakistan to take measures to resolve the issue of arrest and detention of fishermen on a permanent basis.

He suggested the government of Pakistan make a good-will gesture by releasing all detained Indian fishermen so that the Indian government might also reciprocate with the same spirit.

The PFF leader said the forum had been raising the issue repeatedly and highlighting the need of finding out a permanent solution to the problem by both the governments. He further said that since there were no visible boundaries and no signs installed to warn the fishermen about the sea border, the governments should work out “an imaginary” border in the Sir Creek region.

According to him, there are 79 Pakistani fishermen detained in India while 300 Indian fishermen had been in custody of Pakistani security agencies.