Pak puts condition on release of fishermen

The release of 74 Indian fishermen languishing in Pakistani jails has been further delayed as the Pakistan government has made it conditional on the release of 93 Pakistani fishermen in jails here.

The Pakistan government has insisted that Pakistani fishermen in jails in Porbandar, Junagadh and Bhuj in Gujarat and their nine boats seized by Indian authorities also be released, said Veljibhai Masani, leader of the Indian fishermen’s delegation, who visited Pakistan to discuss the issue.

Speaking by phone from Mangrol, he said it is because of this condition that the departure of the 74 Indian fishermen along with their 23 boats could not take place on September 24, although it was cleared by the Pakistan Marine Security Agency pending approval from the Pakistan government which, however, did not ‘‘okay’’ it, he said.