KARACHI: Pakistan Fisher-folk Forum (PFF) on Monday took out a rally from Arts Council to the Karachi Press Club (KPC), demanding the release of detained Pakistani fishermen in India.
A large number of fishermen including families of detained fishermen from Jatti, Sujawal, Badin, and Karachi participated in the rally that was led by PFF Chairman Muhammad Ali Shah.
Protesters carrying portraits and banners of detained fishers chanted slogans in favour of their demands. Addressing the rally, Shah said according to the exchange list of prisoners between Pakistan and India on July 1, at least 94 Pakistani fishermen are still in Indian jails while 391 Indian fishermen are in Pakistani jails. “On the humanitarian grounds, children, and all those who have already served more than six-month jail time should be released,” he demanded.
Shah said due to the fear of getting arrested while fishing in bordering areas, many fishermen are reluctant to go fishing in deep sea. Resultantly, he added, there is an adverse impact on the life and livelihood of the fishing communities.
The families of the detained fishermen appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar and Prime Minister Imran Khan to help them bring their men back from Indian jails. They also said that the fishermen of India should also be released on humanitarian grounds.