ISLAMABAD – Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday revealed that a Pakistani fisherman was arrested by the Indian Coast Guard and coerced into carrying out tasks for India’s intelligence agency.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary, Tarar said the fisherman, Ijaz Mallah, was apprehended while fishing in the high seas in September. After his arrest, he was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location where he was forced to undertake tasks for the Indian intelligence agency under the threat of prolonged imprisonment.
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“He was told that he would be compensated, and if he did not comply, he would have to stay imprisoned for two to three years,” Tarar explained. The fisherman was eventually released and sent back to Pakistan with instructions to procure uniforms of the Pakistan Navy, Army, and Sindh Rangers, including specific nametags and fittings.
The minister said these tasks were part of a larger plan to conduct propaganda warfare against Pakistan. Pakistan’s intelligence agencies reportedly monitored the fisherman closely and intervened to prevent the procurement of the items.