Lok Sabha Question No. 4062 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Indians in Pak Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Darshana Vikram Jardosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4062 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## INDIANS IN PAK JAILS

## 4062. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Indians currently lodged in jails in Pakistan and since along with when the details thereof for less than five years, more than five years but less than ten years, more than ten years but less than fifteen years and more than fifteen years;
- (b) whether our consulates in Pakistan have all relevant details of all Indian prisoners   and   whether   they   extend   all   legal/financial   support   to   such prisoners and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the number of Indian fishermen detained/in jails in Pakistan, as of now, and the efforts made to secure their release?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) As   per   available   information,   337   Indian   prisoners,   including fishermen, are believed to be in Pakistan's custody. However, as per the lists exchanged between the Governments of India and Pakistan on 1 January 2020, Pakistan   has   acknowledged   the   custody   of   261   Indian   prisoners,   including fishermen, in its custody. According to available information, the time since they are believed to be in Pakistan's custody is as below:

|                              |   Less than 5 years | More than 5 years but less than 10 years   | More than 10 years but less than 15 years   | More than 15 years   |
|------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------|
| Number of Civilian Prisoners |                  34 | 19                                         | 11                                          | 03                   |
| Number of Fishermen          |                 270 | -                                          | -                                           | -                    |

In addition, there is the issue of 83 missing Indian defence personnel, including   Prisoners   of   war,   whose   custody   has   not   been   acknowledged   by Pakistan, so far.

The   Government   consistently   pursues   the   case   of   early   release   and repatriation of the Indian nationals languishing in Pakistan jails. In addition, the High   Commission   of   India   in   Islamabad,   on   a   continuing   basis,   provides humanitarian and legal assistance to Indian nationals imprisoned in Pakistan, including regular distribution of items of daily necessity to them through Pakistan jail authorities.

(c) As per available information, 270 Indian fishermen are believed to be in Pakistan's custody. However, Pakistan has, so far acknowledged the custody of 207 only. The Government, upon receipt of reports of apprehension of the Indian fishermen, immediately takes up the matter with Pakistan through diplomatic channels and seeks immediate consular access as well as their early release and repatriation,   along   with   fishing   boats.   As   a   result   of   persistent   efforts,   the Government has been successful in securing the release and repatriation of 2,100 Indian fishermen, from Pakistan's custody since 2014, so far.

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