“Indian Forces Arrest Pakistani Fisherman”

Indian security forces have reportedly arrested a Pakistani fisherman while he was engaged in fishing in the deep sea, according to the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum.
Babu Ali Mallah, a resident of Jati tehsil in the coastal district of Sujawal, was apprehended for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary. The Fisherfolk Forum confirmed the incident, stating that Mallah was involved in fishing activities when the arrest took place.
The forum revealed that this arrest adds to the ongoing plight of fishermen from the region. “Currently, 20 fishermen from Jati tehsil are already languishing in Indian jails,” a spokesperson for the organization stated.
Meanwhile, lists of prisoners in each other’s custody were exchanged by Pakistan and India last week via diplomatic channels. The Foreign Office spokesperson had then stated, “The Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 266 Indian prisoners in Pakistan (49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen) to a representative of the High Commission of India in Islamabad.”
At the same time, an officer from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi received the list of Pakistani detainees in Indian prisons from the Indian government. According to the list, 462 Pakistanis are held in Indian jails, including 381 civilians and 81 fishermen.
In accordance with the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, the lists were exchanged simultaneously. The agreement stipulates that both countries exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on January 1 and July 1 each year.
Additionally, the Indian government has been urged to release and repatriate all Pakistanis (52 civilians and 56 fishermen) who have completed their respective sentences and whose national status has been confirmed.
The spokesperson also encouraged the Indian government to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani detainees awaiting release and repatriation.
Moreover, 38 missing defense personnel from the 1965 and 1971 wars have requested consular access.