Centre failed to bring back our boats from Pakistan:Narendra Modi

Ahmedabad, 2 September 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi today criticized the central government for its failure to bring back Indian fishing boats kidnapped by Pakistan.

While speaking at the felicitation function in new Gir-Somnath district, he pointed out that earlier the fishermen were released with their boats, but for last several years Pakistan has stopped releasing boats. Modi said the central government has failed to take up this issue with Pakistan successfully.

Modi said earlier fishing boats were released along with the fishermen and now when Nawaz Sharif government has returned to power, the centre could convey that the earlier practice of releasing fishermen with their boats should resume.

It has to be mentioned that earlier Pakistan used to release Indian fishermen with their boats via sea route from Karachi, but for last several years, Pakistan has started releasing Indian fishermen(mostly from Gujarat) via Punjab border. Pakistan keeps their boats in its custody and later auctions them locally.

Each regular fishing boat costs around Rs. two million. Pakistan has crossed the limits by refusing to release an Indian ship which was rescued from the sea due to engine failure and taken to nearest port Karachi. Those aboard were arrested and later released after jail term, but their boat was not released. This ship is far more costlier than fishing boats.

As per an estimate, Pakistan has so far captured and not returned 750 Indian boats, most of them from Gujarat.

The central government is as-always-weak, and not able to deal with Pakistan over this critical issue.