Pakistan

Goodwill gesture: Pakistan may release 57 Indian fishing vessels soon

Six-member delegation from Gujarat will travel to Pakistan to finalise the process

Web Desk February 21, 2015

Masani further said he estimated that around 400 boats should still be afloat. “We welcome this decision of the Pakistan government. But we also demand that all the boats which are in good condition or are repairable should be returned,” he added, saying a trawler costs average Rs 45 lakh. PHOTO:AFP

RAJKOT: Having expressed the desire last July to release 57 boats belonging to Indian fishermen, the move may be completed soon, Indian Express reported.

According to the publication, Minister of Fisheries in Indian Gujarat Babu Bokhiria said that the boats my be released as soon as March 31.

“Through a letter on Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs of India conveyed to Gujarat government the decision of Pakistan to release 57 fishing trawlers. We have been asked to claim the boats by March 31. In response to the letter, we shall send a six-member delegation to Pakistan to finalise modalities of bring the boats back,” Bokhiria said.

Read: Pakistan to release 57 Indian fishing boats

To complete the process, the Gujarat government will send a six-member delegation to Pakistan comprising officers from the state fisheries department and leaders from the fishermen community of Gujarat.

The move comes just days after Pakistan freed 172 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture and Prime Ministers of both the countries spoke to each other.

Read: Goodwill gesture: 172 Indian fishermen released in Karachi

“This is for the fist time after 2004 that Pakistan will release fishing boats of India. Pakistan has detained more than 700 fishing trawlers of Gujarat over the last 10 years. They have auctioned out a huge number of them. The 57 are in good condition and therefore they are releasing them."

The minister added that of the 57 vessels, 53 are seaworthy while the remaining four need some repairs.

Documents of the boats slated for released have already been provided to Pakistan authorities.

“The delegation will try and work out modalities of bringing boats back to Gujarat. Either Pakistan can release 114 fishermen still lodged in jail there to pilot the boats back or they will have to grant visa to an equal number of Indian fishermen,” said Bokhiria.

Velji Masani, the vice-president of All Gujarat Fishermen Federation who had visited Pakistan in August 2014, said authorities had shown them 857 Indian boats. He estimated that around 400 boats should still be afloat. “We welcome this decision of the Pakistan government. But we also demand that all the boats which are in good condition or are repairable should be returned,” he added, saying a trawler on average costs Rs4.5 million.

COMMENTS (4)

jun | 9 years ago | Reply As goodwill gesture,India blows up your fishermen.Would you also release some Taliban terrorists as goodwill gesture?One is socalled terror-terrorist,not recognized,while other is terrorist nation with a seat in UN,both killers of ordinary ppl,what difference for dead innocents and their families?What can you expect from politicians of Pakistan who have no intelligence(diplomatic negotiation know how) ,nor any other option to make your opponent just come to table to talk with you.Obama to India[since you are good at acting,just go,we need these stupid Pakis for something and cool down Talibans after we withraw]and thus this so called bollywood diplomatic drama.But you already show your weakness,so what can you expect from arrogant Indian side,which has nothing to lose.It is just like a lost team which is already out of some tournament,wanting to play a match with winner,and more foolish is,without any bat.Of course,the winner will not play with its best,but try its subsitutes,or B team.India would never come with anything except finger pointing or Dawoods.And Pakistani politicians woud get some kickbacks for bias Indian investments,and some biryanis in some future London,Dubai Summits staying in best hotels.By the way,they also need time to visit their luxurious apartments,do other things there on taxpayers money.What a drama circus to fool awam for years in this way.How about sending Pak politicians.Nawaz on 2nd Samjotha Express without security?If he comes back alive,give him another 5 years.So whats the point of good gestures when other side is not ripe

Istaburg | 9 years ago | Reply There is only one gesture that india needs and it doesn't involve giving back things.... Samajh to agayee ho gi ;-)

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GS@Y | 9 years ago | Reply Really? After Indian cost guard's recent antics, Pakistan Navy should tow these boats all out to international waters and use them for target practice.

ali khan | 9 years ago | Reply first they kill our fisher men and then we hand them the boats? maybe the goverment should distribute the boats into the fishing comunities of pakistan instead. because i dont see india giving any boats back to pakistan.

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