Indian authorities detained 11 Pakistani fishermen on Thursday, prompting strong condemnation from Sindh Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on Fisheries Hussain Aslam Bhatti.
He urged the federal government to take immediate diplomatic action for their release. Officials said the fishermen had ventured into open waters for livelihood when they were picked up by Indian maritime forces on allegations of crossing the international maritime boundary. The arrests had caused deep concern among the families of the detained fishermen and within the Sindh government.
In a statement, Bhatti termed the arrests “deeply distressing” and a violation of human rights. He said poor fishermen often fall victim to rough sea conditions and unmarked boundaries, and such detentions further worsen their hardships.
Calling the action “unjust and inhumane,” Bhatti urged the Government of Pakistan to raise the issue at the highest diplomatic forums and take urgent steps for the immediate release and safe return of the detained men.
He said the Sindh government stands firmly with the affected families and would support them until the fishermen were reunited with their loved ones. He appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant federal institutions to expedite efforts for repatriation, noting that delays only increase the suffering of the families. Bhatti reiterated that ensuring the fishermen’s safe return was a priority for the provincial government and pledged continued coordination with federal authorities until the issue was resolved.
