Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have
arrested 32 Indian fishermen and seized six fishing boats for
allegedly entering the country`s Exclusive Economic Zone
illegally, officials said on Saturday.
The Maritime Security Agency apprehended the Indian
fishermen approximately 60 nautical miles inside Pakistani
waters yesterday, the officials said.
The fishermen were taken to the southern port city of
Karachi, where they are being interrogated by security
agencies to "establish their exact identity and intent for
operating" in Pakistani waters, the officials said.
India and Pakistan arrest scores of fishermen every
year for violating the maritime boundary between the two
countries.
The fishermen often languish in jail for years even
after completing their prison terms.
Pakistan recently freed 442 Indian fishermen after two
NGOs filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking their
release. A court in Karachi recently ordered authorities to
repatriate another 142 fishermen.
PTI
