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KARACHI, Dec 5: All the 202 Pakistani fishermen who were released by Indian authorities on Monday arrived here safely on Wednesday morning.
These fishermen with 13 boats were expected to arrive here by Tuesday evening, but their arrival was delayed due to inclement weather.
Indian coast guards had arrested these fishermen and confiscated their boats many months back. 10 of those boats were badly damaged and could not be brought to Pakistan.
The fishermen who returned via sea were warmly received at the Karachi Fish Harbour by their relatives and friends, the Fishermen Cooperative Society (FSC) and the Maritime Security Agency (MSA).
A ceremony was held at the Harbour to mark the occasion. It was attended by the FCS and MSA officials, and a large number of relatives and friends of the fishermen.
The FSC presented Rs2000 and one pair of dress each to the fishermen as immediate relief.
On the occasion, FCS chairman Syed Tayyab Naqvi welcomed the fishermen saying that their reunion with their family members was no doubt a matter of great pleasure.
He recalled the efforts made by the government of Pakistan, the FCS, the MSA and other government agencies for their release. In this regard, he particularly appreciated the role of FCS manager administration Haji Ghazanfar Ali Boota.
The FCS chairman also lauded the efforts of the representatives of Indian-based NGOs for taking keen interest in the repatriation process and making it smoother.
Also present on the occasion were FCS vice-chairman Haji Shafi Mohammad Jamote and directors of the Society, including Haji Mohammad Yunis.
365 Pakistani fishermen have been released by the Indian authorities, whereas Pakistan has released 359 Indian fishermen so far.
The remaining 48 Indian fishermen with 8 boats who were arrested by the Pakistan coastal authorities for illegal fishing are expected to be released in a couple of days.
TRAGEDY: A fishermen on board a Pakistani boat Al-Rahber died at a shoot-out incident in the Arabian Sea.
This was stated by the chieftain of the boat, Mohammad Juman, a resident of Thatta district, while talking to DAWN. The fisherman was identified as Noor Mohammad.
Juman said the incident took place near the Indian water zone some 15 months back when their boat was forcibly caught in the Pakistani waters by the Indians.
He narrated that it was dark and all the fishermen were asleep when firing shots were heard.
Gripped by panic, he and two other fishermen woke up. Unfortunately, he said, one of bullet hit one of their colleague who died on the spot.
Later, he said, an Indian patrolling team captured their boat and threw away the body in the sea. He said there were 21 fishermen on board the Al-Rehbar boat.
Meanwhile, general secretary of the All Sindh Fishermen Association, Jan Mohammad Ranoo has called the Fishermen Cooperative Society to provide an immediate compensation to the bereaved family of the deceased fishermen.
