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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