Pak to return 57 boats of Indian fishermen

AMRITSAR: Pakistan will release 57 boats of Indian fishermen, who were arrested by Pak Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), after they had inadvertently entered its territorial waters, after being swept away by sudden gust of winds on high seas. "Following instructions from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan government has decided to release 57 fishing boats that are in our custody," Pakistan high commission spokesperson Manzoor Ali Memon told TOI over phone from New Delhi on Monday.
Fishermen and their boats are often apprehended by maritime security forces of both countries when they violate the other nation's territorial waters. Earlier in May, Pakistan had released 150 Indian fishermen.
Memon said that a nine-member Indian delegation had visited Karachi from July 18 to 20 to inspect the boats and discuss modalities for their release with officials of PMSA. PMSA had made efforts to keep the boats in good condition, yet some of these required minor repairs before handing over to India, he said. "A follow-up visit of Indian officials would take place sometime in August to oversee the repairs," he said, adding that the boats would be returned to India mid-September.
"Usually, the boats not in seaworthy condition are not returned. But our PM gave instructions to return these boats following which, efforts were made by PMSA to ensure that the vessels are returned to the rightful owners," Memon said. He said Pak government viewed the issue of prisoners on humanitarian grounds and continued to make efforts for their release as soon as their sentence was completed.