Three months ago, Pakistan and India agreed that their border forces would release within 24 hours all fishermen from the other country arrested while fishing on the wrong side of the maritime border. They also agreed to exchange the boats confiscated during such arrests.
Yet some 159 Pakistani fishermen continue to languish in Indian prisons, and 547 Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails, says the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF). The Fishermen Cooperative Society has proof of the identities of 124 Pakistanis and 17 boats in Indian custody. The Society believes there are another 100 Pakistani fishermen in Indian custody, but has yet to confirm their identity. There are additionally199 Pakistani boats in Indian custody, and 350 Indian fishing boats in Pakistani custody.