Jail denies NGO access to Indian fishermen

KARACHI: Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) chairperson Mohammed Ali Shah was denied a meeting with the Indian fishermen imprisoned at the Landhi Jail on Saturday, after which the PFF expressed its dissatisfaction with Sindh Jail Minister Haji Muzaffar Shujrah, calling him “irritating and prejudiced”.

PFF, the main petitioner for the release of 580 Indian fishermen imprisoned in Pakistani jails, alleged that Shujrah had directed the Landhi Jail administration not to allow Shah, along with representatives of the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler) to visit the 128 imprisoned Indian fishermen.

PFF spokesperson Sami Memon said that representatives from both organisations had gone to the jail after acquiring permission. Despite having done the paperwork, however, the officials refused to allow them entry. The PFF wanted to get the signatures of the Indian prisoners in order to represent them in court.

Piler and PFF are co-signatories in a petition that was filed in the Supreme Court on July 15, 2010, to ensure the safe release of the Indian fishermen. Memon said that while the legal procedure had been smooth, Pakistan Peoples Party ministers were giving them problems.

“We just want to support the innocent fishermen and do not care what the government ministers do,” said Memon.

Some civil society organisations in India had already filed a petition for the release of Pakistani fishermen from their jails and he believed that a joint initiative by organisations in both countries can pressure the governments into releasing the fishermen.

Activists and organisations from the two countries met on April 19, 2010, in New Delhi to discuss the arrests of fishermen. They wrote their prime ministers as well.

The letter suggested that an area of 25 nautical miles should be designated a “free zone” to be used by the fishermen of either country.

Published in the Express Tribune,  July 11^th, 2010.