ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told Senate on Friday that 450 Pakistani fishermen were arrested by Indian authorities during the last five years. During question hour, the advisor said out of a total of 450 Pakistani fishermen arrested, 395 fishermen had been released by the Indian authorities. He said they were arrested for their unauthorised presence in Indian waters, adding whenever an arrest was brought to Pakistan’s notice, it requested the Indian authorities for consular access so as to collect information on the detainee and establish their Pakistani citizenship. He said the antecedents were examined by the Ministry of Interior for confirmation of national status adding once the national status of a prisoner was confirmed and formal request was made to the Indian side for early repatriation of the concerned detainee. He added such a request in some cases was not entertained as the Indian authorities initiated legal proceedings against the detainee. He said the High Commission for Pakistan New Delhi arranges legal assistance to under trial detainees and in this regard a law firm had been hired by the High Commission. The advisor said financial assistance was also provided wherever required and Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi coordinates with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for expeditious repatriation of prisoners who have either been acquitted or have completed their respective sentence. The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab said Pakistan has already signed agreements with Central Asian States, China, India and Iran for facilitating transportation of goods and passengers. The minister said agreements and protocols were adequately covered by the arrangements in place, however, the security situation, delays in issuance of visas by Member States to the drivers, and non availability of guaranteeing mechanisms for transit goods etc. were the major challenges raised at relevant forums for their redressal. He said Pakistan’s accession to International TIR Convention and improvement of three border crossing points at Chaman, Torkham and Wagah would further facilitate international transport. The minister said a quadrilateral agreement for traffic in Transit among Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan signed in March 1995 and enforced in May 2006 covered movement of goods. A bilateral International Road Transport Agreement between Pakistan and China was signed in 1993 and enforced in 2006, facilitating movement of passengers and goods between Pakistan and China, he added. The minister said the bilateral Road Transport Agreement between Pakistan and Iran signed in 1987 and amended in 1992 was in operation and facilitated transportation of goods and passengers. He added that three bus services were in operation on routes between Pakistan and India under separate agreements.