Indian fishermen to be freed by Pak
Pakistan will release as many as 396 Indian fishermen on the eve of the country's 60 Independence Day.
By PTI |
VADODARA: As many as 396 Indian fishermen currently in custody of Pakistani authorities will be released on August 14-15, a BJP Member of Parliament said on Wednesday, citing a letter from External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
India too will release 48 Pakistani fishermen on the same days, MP and former Union Minister Kashiram Rana said.
The lawmaker said this was stated in a letter dated August 6 written to him by Mukherjee.
Talking to media, Rana said he had raised the issue of release of Indian fishermen and their boats from Pakistan's captivity during a meeting of the consultative committee attached to the External Affairs Ministry.
Rana had in the past alleged that the Government was not exerting enough pressure on Pakistan to seek release of the fishermen, which had made the lives of their family members miserable.
The BJP leader said about 50,000 fishermen in Gujarat had become jobless due to seizure of their boats by the Marine Security Agency of Pakistan in the last three years.
"The loans procured from the banks for purchasing these boats have been outstanding and run in crores of rupees."
In the letter, Mukherjee said the Government was serious about the release of Indian fishermen and it had raised the issue during the last month's Home Secretary level talks between the two countries.
India too will release 48 Pakistani fishermen on the same days, MP and former Union Minister Kashiram Rana said.
The lawmaker said this was stated in a letter dated August 6 written to him by Mukherjee.
Talking to media, Rana said he had raised the issue of release of Indian fishermen and their boats from Pakistan's captivity during a meeting of the consultative committee attached to the External Affairs Ministry.
Rana had in the past alleged that the Government was not exerting enough pressure on Pakistan to seek release of the fishermen, which had made the lives of their family members miserable.
The BJP leader said about 50,000 fishermen in Gujarat had become jobless due to seizure of their boats by the Marine Security Agency of Pakistan in the last three years.
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"The loans procured from the banks for purchasing these boats have been outstanding and run in crores of rupees."
In the letter, Mukherjee said the Government was serious about the release of Indian fishermen and it had raised the issue during the last month's Home Secretary level talks between the two countries.
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