'Number of Indian fishermen entering Pakistan on the Rise'
Maria A Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday said an overwhelmingly large number of Indian fishermen were entering its territorial waters for economic gains.

"There is a certain 'pattern' and it is more of an 'economic issue', rather than inadvertent crossing," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters at the weekly briefing.

She said Pakistan since 2003 has released 2452 Indians, including 208 civilians and 2244 fishermen. On the contrary India released 659 Pakistanis including 299 civilians and 360 fishermen.

Ms Aslam said it was a clear reflection of the way things were moving. "Just look at the number of those arrested, 90 per cent are Indian fishermen," she added.

She said both the sides were following a certain understanding for securing release of fishermen and civilian prisoners. These conditions include completion of prison terms, provision of consular access and confirmation of national status.

She said the decision for the release was taken on a Pakistani proposal during the meeting of Secretaries of Interior and Home Ministries of the two countries in Islamabad in May.

Ms Aslam said Pakistan conveyed to India a list of 493 its civilian prisoners in Indian jails, out of those national status of 210 has been confirmed by it. He said they are awaiting release from Indian jails while 152 have not yet been allowed Consular access.

She said the national status of verification of 111 is under process by authorities in Pakistan.

Recalling the recent exchange at Wagha, she said India released 38 Pakistanis, while Pakistan released 39 including 20 fishermen and 19 individuals.

She said after the recent release 463 Pakistanis were still in Indian jails including 433 prisoners. She said Indian authorities were likely to provide Consular access to 30 fishermen who were in Indian jails.

The number of Indian prisoners in Pakistan is 509 including 97 civilian and 412 fishermen.

"Release of prisoners in each other's jails was a high level priority area and we will continue to pursue it," she added.

The spokesperson to a question about the condition of Pakistani prisoners who return from Indian jails, she said Pakistan desires that the prisoners are treated humanely.

"We do not treat prisoners [in a way] that they go back physically and mentally affected."

Manmohan's Visit

About the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Pakistan, she said there was no intimation yet, but hoped "it will take place sometime".

About meeting of the two Foreign Secretaries to review the third round of Composite Dialogue, she said it was likely on July 20 in New Delhi, however there was no date yet for the meeting of two Foreign Ministers as India has yet to name a Minister for External Affairs.

The Spokesperson said a team from Interior Ministry will soon visit Guantanamo Bay to determine the nationality of six reported Pakistanis detained and to seek their early release. In this regard, she said Pakistan was in touch with the US authorities.

When asked whether the US authorities had assured not to go back on their word, while providing the F- 16s, she recalled statements by the US State Department, and assurances by its leaders.

"I do not think there will be a revocation of the deal," and added "we do not entertain any suspicions that it will not get through."

She said the US administration has formally notified the Congress about the sale of F-16's.●