India asked to release Pakistani fishermen
07 January, 2012
KARACHI: In connection with the release of 180 Indian prisoners, civil society representatives demanded of the Indian government to respond generously in this regard. Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, Indo-Pak Committee member Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid, former federal minister Maulvi Iqbal Haider, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum chairman Muhammad Ali Shah, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) head Karamat Ali, jointly demanded of the counterpart government to take similar measures so as to reduce the miseries of innocent and helpless fishermen. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Zahid said that Pakistani government took first step to release fishermen and on Saturday 180 prisoners, out of which 179 were fisherman and one civilian, adding they would be released from Malir Jail and be sent to India through Wagah border in four buses. Presenting the statistics, he informed media that after the release of 180 prisoners, around 324 Indian prisoners would be kept in Pakistani jails. He further said that till April 15, 2011, there were 239 Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails, adding 22 Indian fishermen were arrested on April 17, 20 on Sep 20, 18 on Sep 25, 11 on Sep 28, 48 on Sept 30, 36 on Oct 6, 100 on Nov 10, while 12 were arrested on Dec 17. Besides this their 319 boats were also bounded in Pakistan. He regretted that Indian government claimed itself to be the champion of human rights and democracy but did not express seriousness in regard with the release of Pakistani fishermen in the jails of India. He further said that till date 42 Pakistani fishermen were kept in the jails in India, while 61 were missing in the Indian waters. He informed journalists that Indian security forces arrested 19 Pakistani fishermen on Jan 17, 2009, six on Oct 22, six on Oct 26, seven on Oct 28, and two on Dec 31. As many as 183 boats of Pakistani fishermen were also in the possession of Indian institutions. Haider, sharing his views on the occasion, also demanded of the Indian government to release Pakistani fishermen. He also raised the issue of those kept in the jails of each side, having objections on their identity and the issue of those missing fishermen should be resolved immediately. PFF head shah said that the governments should consider returning the boats of fishermen at both sides as deprivation of boats hit poor fishermen with irreparable losses. End.
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