<p> Pakistani authorities have arrested 31 Indian fishermen and seized 14 boats for allegedly violating the country's maritime boundary, an official said today.<br /><br />The fishermen were detained by the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) during routine patrolling yesterday, a spokesman for the agency said.<br /><br />Fourteen Indian boats with 31 crew members were "apprehended for poaching well inside Pakistani waters (approximately 110 nautical miles)", he said.<br /><br />The Indian fishermen allegedly continued to intrude into Pakistan's marine-rich Indus delta region "at the cost of livelihood of local fishermen", he claimed.<br /><br />The MSA handed over the fishermen to police in Karachi for further investigation.<br />India and Pakistan arrest hundreds of fishermen every year on charges of violating their maritime boundary.<br /><br />In a single sweep last year, the MSA arrested 122 Indian fishermen and seized 23 fishing boats on charges of poaching.<br /><br />The two countries have taken steps in recent months to expedite the release of fishermen who have completed their jail terms.<br /><br />Earlier this month, Pakistan freed 179 Indian fishermen who had completed their sentences. Another 360 Indian prisoners, mostly fishermen, remain in jail.</p>
<p> Pakistani authorities have arrested 31 Indian fishermen and seized 14 boats for allegedly violating the country's maritime boundary, an official said today.<br /><br />The fishermen were detained by the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) during routine patrolling yesterday, a spokesman for the agency said.<br /><br />Fourteen Indian boats with 31 crew members were "apprehended for poaching well inside Pakistani waters (approximately 110 nautical miles)", he said.<br /><br />The Indian fishermen allegedly continued to intrude into Pakistan's marine-rich Indus delta region "at the cost of livelihood of local fishermen", he claimed.<br /><br />The MSA handed over the fishermen to police in Karachi for further investigation.<br />India and Pakistan arrest hundreds of fishermen every year on charges of violating their maritime boundary.<br /><br />In a single sweep last year, the MSA arrested 122 Indian fishermen and seized 23 fishing boats on charges of poaching.<br /><br />The two countries have taken steps in recent months to expedite the release of fishermen who have completed their jail terms.<br /><br />Earlier this month, Pakistan freed 179 Indian fishermen who had completed their sentences. Another 360 Indian prisoners, mostly fishermen, remain in jail.</p>