Pakistan protests with India over killing of fisherman

Islamabad, Apr 11 (UNI) Alleging that Indian Coast Guard had opened fire on its fishermen, killing one, Pakistan has lodged a protest with India and asked New Delhi to respect its territorial integrity to avoid recurrence of such ''provocative acts''.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told a weekly press meet here yesterday that an official of the Indian High Commission was called to the foreign office to discuss the issue.

The incident occurred on March 18 when Indian Coast Guards chased a Pakistani fishing boat ''Al-Kalsoom'' with seven crewmen and opened fire, killing one on the spot, she said.

''We have expressed our protest to the Indian government over this provocative act in which a life has been lost,'' Ms Aslam said.

It took a while for the information to trickle down and reach the foreign office, she said adding that the date for demarche was fixed some time back.

''We will have to respect each other's territorial integrity and also territorial waters and Exclusive Economy Zone,'' she said.

UNI XC JN GC1910