Vadodara: The Gujarat Government has demanded that the issue of release of Indian boats and fishermen held captive in Pakistan be included in the agenda for talks with its Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who arrives in New Delhi tomorrow.

The Centre has never been serious about taking up the issue of release of seized Indian boats and trawlers with Pakistani authorities, Gujarat Fisheries Minister Dilip Sanghani told PTI over phone.

Qureshi will arrive in New Delhi tomorrow on a three-day visit to discuss Kashmir, terrorism and confidence building measures among other issues.

Last month a seven-member delegation led by Indian Fisheries Association President Veljibhai Masani had been denied permission to visit several Indian fishermen languishing in Pakistani jails and also to inspect a number of boats in custody.

"Pakistani authorities allowed us to inspect only 137 of the 383 seized boats and did not permit us to meet any fishermen despite repeated pleas," Masani said.

Captured boat and trawlers were in a bad position with each requiring a minimum expense of Rs 10 lakh for repairs, Masani said adding, he suspected that these captured boats were being misused.
Source : PTI