KARACHI: Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) organized a rally from Arts Council to Karachi Press Club on Wednesday to pressurize the government to bring back fishermen languishing in Indian jails.
Muhammad Ali Shah, Chairmen of PFF, members of civil society and others led the rally.
People from fishermen community of Different areas of Karachi, Thatta and Sujawal, including women and children participated in the rally.
They were holding placards and were demanding recovery of their relative fishermen, those who have been arrested by the Indian Navy and coast guards.
Addressing the rally, PFF representatives, Saeed Baloch, Noor Muhammed Tahmoor, Fatima Majeed and Naghma, a social activist and the relatives of the captive said , they have been caught and arrested by the Indian Navy illegally and are imprisoned in different jails of India. Relatives of those imprisoned fishermen were facing hardship, they added.
They have demanded of the government of Pakistan to take effective measures for the recovery of innocent fishermen.
PFF Chairman, Muhammed Ali Shah told Daily Times that 130 Pakistani fishermen have been stuck up in Indian jails for the last four years.
“Law of the Sea” does not allow arresting of any fisherman, who goes out in the seas for fishing” Shah added
He further told that twelve ‘children, aged between 10 and 12, have also been arrested by the Indian Navy.
“United Nation’s child rights’ commission does not allow keeping children, under the age of 17, in prison.” He added.
He claimed that the PFF supports fishermen community and has demanded their urgent recovery from India.