Around 17 fishermen were released on 27th January by Indian authorities via Wagah Border, but they were kept in custody by Pakistan's border security forces (Rangers) for nearly 12 days. Later on Wednesday (8th February), some of them were handed over to officials of Edhi Foundation who would make arrangements for their safe return to native villages.
An office-bearer of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Noor Muhammad Themore, said that the families of detained fishermen were eagerly waiting for their return, but unnecessary delays had made things tough for the mothers, sisters, and children of these fishermen who had been agonising in Indian jails for years.
He said that a letter had been written by Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum to the Pakistan Rangers deployed at Wagah Border, and to federal intelligence agencies, asking for early discharge of 9 fishermen hailing from Shahbunder Taluka of Sujawal. These fishermen were apprehended by Indian border forces some 6 years ago, in violation of international laws when they were fishing in the high seas near 'zero point'.
According to information seen by this scribe, as many as 50 Pakistani fishermen - most of them belonging to Sujawal district - were still languishing in Indian jails, with no arrangements from the federal government or the provincial government for the support and maintenance of their families here in Pakistan.
The Fishermen Cooperative Society had been formed to facilitate the fishermen community, but following rampant corruption and abject negligence, the organisation has failed to attain its objectives. On the contrary, a similar organisation was formed in India that not only works for betterment of fishermen community, but also dispenses monthly stipends to the families of fishermen when they go for fishing.
Describing the rules set out in Convention on the Laws of Sea (CLOS) of 1982, the representative of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Noor Muhammad Themore said that Article 73 of the Convention prevents coastal states from detaining fishermen; it actually permits imposition of a nominal penalty on fishermen in case there is any trivial violation.
Themore further adds that the ordeal of fishermen community from the coastal areas of Thatta and Sujawal district is enigmatic. He said that most of the fishermen who had been in Indian jails quit fishing upon their return, fearing re-arrest.
Quoting an incident from 2016, he said that 35-year-old Bachal Solangi - the sole breadwinner of his family - was found suffering from a bizarre psychological disorder upon his release from Indian jails. He urged Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to take measures for the release of remaining fishermen, and prevent their unlawful detention in the future.