Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

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

(a) whether 23 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Pakistani naval authorities recently;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Indian Government has taken up the matter with the Pakistani Government;

(d) if so, the outcome thereof; and

(e) the number of fishermen and other prisoners released by Pakistan during the last year and the current year and the number of fishermen and prisoners still languishing in Pakistani jails as on date?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) & (b) As per media reports, 23 Indian fishermen were arrested by Pakistani authorities on April 4, 2012, for allegedly entering into Pakistan’s territorial waters.

(c) & (d) High Commission of India in Islamabad immediately took up this issue with concerned authorities in Pakistan and requested consular access for these fishermen in order to ascertain their nationality as well as enquire about their well being. Government of Pakistan has so far not provided consular access to these fishermen.

(e) According to available information, as on 13 April 2012, there are 425 fishermen and 219 civilian prisoners, believed to be Indian, in various Pakistani jails. As a result of Government’s efforts, 218 Indian fishermen and 17 civilian prisoners have so far been released by Pakistan in 2012. 103 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners released by Pakistan in 2011; and 454 fishermen and 19 civilian prisoners in 2010.

Pakistan
South Asia