It is difficult to ascertain exactly how many families on both sides of the border have suffered such testing trials. According to data from the Legal Aid Office in Karachi, Pakistan repatriated over 1,700 Indian fishermen in at least 21 prisoner exchanges since August 2010, with fresh arrests bringing the numbers back up after every release.

A total of 4,516 Indian fishers and 729 boats were apprehended by Pakistan over the last 20 years, according to a 2008 study by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, a Karachi-based grassroots organisation that represents fishermen’s rights.

Currently, there are at least 237 Indian fishermen lodged in Pakistani jails, while at least 116 Pakistani fishermen still languish in Indian prisons.

These are all poor people in search of a living. This is the only skill that they have. They go wherever the fish and the sea takes them. You can’t blame them for trying to earn their livelihood. These are often breadwinners of the family. Their arrest throws life of not only themselves but also their families in danger.

If the respective governments have so many problems to deal with rather than arresting people who clearly have no intention of hurting their strategic assests and barely mantain the upkeep of their boats and theire families. If they guarded their territories properly they could instead warn fishermen of the violation and encourage them to return to their territory by loudspeakers.

Arresting these poor fishermen and then using them as token gestures in confidence building measures has clearly not resulted in any meaningful relationship. It also adds a cost overhead which can be used to diverted to much needed infrastructure, support and health projects in these countries.

Please support this petition. God Willing, we will forward this to respective media and government agencies to take action if we have enough signatures.