Pakistani authorities on Thursday arrested 58 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating territorial waters in the Arabian Sea.
“The Maritime Security Agency arrested 58 Indian fishermen,” senior police officer Shiraz Nazir said, adding that the authorities also seized 11 boats. “Indian fishermen have been handed over to police,” he said.
Such arrests are frequently carried out by both countries, as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined and many fishing boats lack the technology needed to be certain of their precise location.
The fishermen often languish in jail even after serving prison terms, as poor diplomatic ties between the two arch-rivals mean fulfilling official requirements can take a long time.
Earlier in November, Pakistan had announced the release of 35 fishermen held for violating territorial waters, a day after the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit closed.
The fishermen and one civilian were released from Karachi’s Malir prison after completing their sentences. The prisoners were repatriated to India through the Wagah border in Lahore.
