BalochJohd report | October 31, 2011 | Original story

from BalochJohd report:

Occupied Balochistan, GWADAR: "The authorities couldn't care less," complained families of the eleven fishermen from Gwadar, who were kidnapped eight months ago by Somali pirates when their boat drifted into open sea. Expressing disappointment on Tuesday over the government's indifference to their plight, relatives of the kidnapped fishermen characterized the administration and society as "lethargic".

The fishermen, who were captured by Somali pirates, along with their launch back in February, include Ibrahim, Rahim Bakhsh, Tahir, Saleh Muhammad, Qadir Bakhsh, Younus Muhammad Ali, Khuda Bakhsh, Rafiq and Hanif.

Initially, the victims were in contact with their families through satellite phones and informed relatives that the pirates were demanding money for their release. Months have now passed, however, since the families last heard from the victims.

The families said they have held two meetings with their MPA and the provincial Minister for Fisheries, Hammal Kalmti, to seek his help, but no steps have been taken by him thus far. They added that whenever they call him now, they are told he is either in Islamabad or in London.

The owner of the ill-fated fishing boat, Khuda Baksh, reported that they had also contacted human rights activist Ansar Burney in this regard, but he, too, had not paid any heed to the matter.

The families are worried sick about the health and safety of their loved ones and urged the media to bring their predicament to the forefront in hopes of moving the government to fulfill its responsibilities.