Lok Sabha Question No. 267 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Indian Fishermen in Pakistani Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 267

ANSWERED ON  13.12.2024

## INDIAN FISHERMEN IN PAKISTANI JAILS

†*267. SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government is aware that many fishermen from the Union Territories of  Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are imprisoned in Pakistani jails, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is making any efforts to get them released;
- (c) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government has formulated any policy for getting such fishermen released and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) in respect of  Lok Sabha Starred Question No  †*267 for reply on 13.12.2024. regarding 'Indian Fishermen in Pakistani Jails.'

(a to d) As per the 'India-Pakistan Agreement on Consular Access' signed on 21 May 2008, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country, lodged in the jails of the other, are exchanged on 1 January and 1 July of every year. According to the lists exchanged on 1 July 2024, Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of  211 Indian/believed-to-beIndian fishermen, which includes 24 fishermen from Daman and Diu and none from Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The 24 fishermen from Daman and Diu have been provided consular access   and   their   Indian   nationality   has   also   been   confirmed   and conveyed to the Government of Pakistan.  Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of all Indian fishermen, including those from Daman and Diu, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed. Pakistan has also been asked to provide   immediate   consular   access   to   the   remaining   fishermen   in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian.

Government attaches highest priority to the welfare, safety and early release   and   repatriation   of   Indian   fishermen.   As   soon   as   cases   of apprehension of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats by Pakistan are

reported, immediate steps are taken by the High Commission of India in Islamabad to seek consular access from the Government of Pakistan. During consular access, officials from the High Commission of India visit the Indian/ believed-to-be-Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails to ascertain their   well-being   and   distribute   daily-use   welfare   items.   All   possible assistance,   including   legal   assistance,   is   extended   to   the   Indian fishermen for their early release and repatriation, along with the release of their boats. The issue is consistently raised with the Government of Pakistan and it is conveyed that the issue may be considered on purely humanitarian and livelihood grounds. As   a   result   of   sustained   efforts   by   the   Government,   2639   Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. *****