Maritime agency arrests 17 Indian fishermen

Three boats seized from their possession

KARACHI: As many as 17 Indian fishermen were arrested on Friday by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) for fishing illegally in the territorial waters of Pakistan. The authorities also claimed to have seized at least three boats.

The 17 Indian fishermen, along with their three boats, were taken into custody while fishing illegally in the territorial waters of Pakistan, said the PMSA spokesperson. The arrested men were handed over to the Docks police, which has to register cases against them under the fisheries and foreign acts. The suspects are likely to be produced before a court today (Saturday) from where they would be sent to the District Jail, Malir.



In December last year and January this year, 292 Indian fishermen imprisoned in Pakistan were released by Pakistan days after Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Muhammad Faisal had announced their release in a goodwill gesture in two phases.

Fishermen from Pakistan and India are frequently detained for illegally fishing in each other's territorial waters since the Arabian Sea does not have a clearly defined marine border and the wooden boats lack the technology to avoid drifting. A number of non-governmental organisations in both India and Pakistan have raised the issue, pressing their governments to release arrested fishermen without delay.