Pakistan Summons Indian Diplomat On Fishermen Arrest

Islamabad, March 18, IRNA - Pakistan has summoned a senior Indian diplomat and a formal protest was lodged over the recent arrest of its fishermen who were within Pakistani waters. Pakistan and India routinely arrest fishermen on charges of entering each otherˈs waters as the two nuclear rivals have not yet determined their maritime boundary despite a series of talks on the issue. Pakistan, however, said the Indian authorities detained a group of 13 fishermen from Pakistani waters. “The Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad was called in to the Foreign Office last night and a protest was lodged over the capturing of 13 Pakistani fishermen by Indian authorities on March 15,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. According to Pakistan’s Fishermen Cooperative Society, the fishermen along with their boat were well within Pakistan territorial waters, at Khajar Creek, when they were captured, the statement added. “Pakistan has called for the immediate release of its fishermen and return of the boat,” it said.