Lok Sabha Question No. 4229 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Indian Fishermen Detained in Pakistan Jails
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4229

## ANSWERED ON- 20/12/2024

## INDIAN FISHERMEN DETAINED IN PAKISTAN JAILS

4229.   DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether the government has the data of Indian fishermen arrested and detained in Pakistan jails;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Tamil Nadu;
- (c)  the details of the duration of their imprisonment; and
- (d)  the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure their safe release and repatriation?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(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 acknowledged the custody of 211 Indian/believed-to-be-Indian fishermen, which included 7 fishermen believed-to-be from Tamil Nadu. However, out of 211 fishermen, 2 fishermen from Gujarat have died since the exchange of the last list on 1 July 2024.

The number of Indian/believed-to-be   Indian   fishermen,   State-wise,   in Pakistani jails is given below:

| State/ UT     |   No. of Indian/ believed-to-be- Indian fishermen in Pakistan's custody |
|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Gujarat       |                                                                     134 |
| Daman and Diu |                                                                      24 |
| Maharashtra   |                                                                      18 |
| Uttar Pradesh |                                                                      17 |
| Tamil Nadu    |                                                                       7 |
| West Bengal   |                                                                       7 |
| Bihar         |                                                                       1 |
| Odisha        |                                                                       1 |
| Total         |                                                                     209 |

Out of the 209 fishermen under Pakistan's custody, 51 fishermen have been   in   Pakistani   jails   since   2021;   130   fishermen   since   2022;   9 fishermen since 2023; and 19 fishermen since 2024.

Government of India attaches the highest priority to the welfare, safety and security of Indian fishermen. As soon as cases of apprehension of Indian fishermen by Pakistan are reported, immediate steps are taken by the Indian Mission in Islamabad towards seeking Consular Access from the Pakistan Government. During Consular Access, officials from the High Commission of India visit the 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.   The   matter   of   early   release   and   repatriation   of   Indian fishermen is consistently raised with the Pakistan Government and it is conveyed that this issue may be considered purely on humanitarian and livelihood grounds.

As   a   result   of   sustained   efforts   by   the   Government,   2639   Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014.

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