The Pakistan government released the Indian fishermen, who said they had crossed the border while fishing. As they were unaware of the border in the sea.
After released by the Pakistani government at the Attari-Wagah border on Friday night.
198 Indian fishermen claimed they had unintentionally crossed the maritime international border while fishing. As they were unaware of its location.
These fishermen had detained for violating the border.
Fishermen who cross the maritime international border in the Arabian Sea accused of violating the Passport Act of their respective countries.
As a result, they typically subjected to a prison sentence of approximately six months.
Following their release by the Pakistani government, the Indian fishermen stated. They had unknowingly crossed the maritime border while fishing and were, therefore not aware of its location.
“I has held in Pakistani jails for five years. Twelve of us caught while we were fishing in two boats to cross the border.
There were no navigation buoys, beacons or marks on the water, and it was difficult for us to identify the border in the sea.
I am pleased to be in my country now,” said Biku, one of the fishermen released by the Pakistan government
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He added that there 5-6 Indian fishermen kept in Pakistan jails and urged the government to help them.
Indian and Pakistani fishermen often cross the international maritime border in the Arabian Sea. The respective agencies of both countries catch them.
The issue occurs due to a dispute over Sir Creek between India and Pakistan.
India wants to divide the estuary by following the Thalweg doctrine, but Pakistan is not ready to do so, leading it to a dispute.
According to Thalweg doctrine, if a water body is passing between two countries, it must be divided so that both countries can get an equal part of the water body.
This division is impacting a major international Maritime border between Rann of Kutch and Sindh of Pakistan, which in a way, is affecting both the countries’ exclusive economic zones.