Islamabad, Aug 22: Despite an announcement by Pakistan government ordering their release, 343 Indian fishermen continue to languish in prisons in Karachi due to delay in releasing some of their boats, leader of the visiting Indian fishing delegation said today. The delay has been caused due to problems in handing over some of the seized Indian boats by Pakistani authorities, representatives of the Mahasagar fishermen cooperative society from Mangrol in Junagad district of Gujarat, who are camping here from the past 24 days to arrange for the release, said. "Seven of US came from Mangrol to organise the release of our fishermen 24 days ago. Still there is no specific date set by Pakistan authorities to release our fishermen and their boats despite promises made at the highest level. We are still hopeful", leader of the Indian fishing delegation Veljibhai K Masani told a news agency over phone from Karachi today. In all 343 fishermen from Gujarat were caught in two batches by Pakistan Maritime Security Authority (MSA). The first batch of 269 fishermen were caught along with 41 boats and the rest of 74 fishermen were caught with 18 boats.

As part of confidence building measures announced by premier Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, they were all promised to be released.

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Masani said during his interaction with Pakistan officials at different levels in Karachi, he has been told that orders have been issued to release them and their boats.

Subsequently MSA officials released 22 boats of the total 41 seized along with 269 fishermen for repairs. They are also willing to release the 18 boats caught along with 74 fishermen but are silent on the rest of 19 boats, he said.
Bureau Report