Release of Pakistani fishermen in limbo

Karachi: After fresh tension between India and Pakistan following the Mumbai attacks, the release of detained Pakistani fishermen may be delayed further, fear fisherfolk.Pakistan had released 199 Indian fishermen few days back as a good will gesture, expecting the neighbouring country to release Pakistani fishermen in return. The PFF spokesman, being a member of World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP), confirmed that India had agreed to release Pakistani fishermen, many of them languishing in different jails for the last many years. But their is uncertainty on this matter now.

Pakistan fishermen activists are still unaware about the boat, carrying seven crew members, which had been seized by the Indian coastal security forces from open sea recently.

The activists say fishermen residing at the remote islands and coastal areas of Thatta do not have access to communication resources, therefore, they usually leave their areas without guidance and infringe neighbouring country’s waters where they are caught by the security forces. “We are still trying to ascertain where the victims are from, when they left the jetty and how they were trapped. But we assume that they might belong to Thatta fishermen families,” says a spokesman of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF).

Pakistan fishermen families, residing in Karachi, Thatta and Badin districts are facing uncertainty after the Mumbai incident and are reluctant to leave their traditional jetties located along the coastal villages for open sea. Information collected by The News through talking to the area activists reveal that whenever such incidents occur in India, Pakistani fishermen being frequent visitors of seawater dividing boundaries of both the countries face disturbance. Since the Indian media was propagating that the terrorists reached there by sea, the Pakistani fishermen are facing insecurity as they believe that if they go there the neighbouring country’s border security forces may target them.

The PFF Chairperson Mohammed Ali Shah said at least 18 fishermen were killed by Indian security forces since 1988 up till now. Now travelling to open sea is a risky job for the community, as there is no visible demarcation in the water the fishermen cross border inadvertently. The security forces deployed there arrest them instantly, accusing them of violating sea territory.

Fishermen are even hesitant to reach Kajir Creek, the Pakistani sea area, situated before the Sir Creek, because of the mounting tension, said PFF spokesman. Asif Bhatti, President Boat Owners and Bona fide Fishermen Welfare Association said fishermen go into the open sea because there are no fish stocks left near their localities. “We being representative of island fishermen have conveyed the message to the community to not go for a catch till the situation is declared normal,” Bhatti added. By Jan Khaskheli, Source The News International