Pakistan arrests 13 Indian fishermen

Thirteen Indian fishermen have been arrested by Pakistani authorities for allegedly violating the country's maritime boundary, an official spokesperson said today.

The fishermen were apprehended with three boats yesterday for violating Pakistan's territorial waters, the spokesperson of the Maritime Security Agency said.

The fishermen were handed over to police in Karachi.

The MSA had arrested 22 Indian fishermen on a similar charge on Friday.

On March 9, the MSA arrested another 26 Indian fishermen.

Pakistan and India arrest dozens of fishermen every year for violating the maritime boundary.

Many of them languish in prison for years even after completing jail terms given to them.

Pakistan recently repatriated 12 Indian prisoners, including 11 fishermen who had been held in a jail in Karachi for nearly three years even after completing their prison terms.

Another 442 Indian fishermen were freed last year after two Pakistani NGOs petitioned the Supreme Court for their release.