Type:Parliament Questions and Answers

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

(a) the number of Indian prisoners in the Pakistani jails at present;

(b) the number of such persons languishing even after completing jail term;

(c) whether Government has taken any steps in securing the release of these prisoners;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the time by which they are likely to be released?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) & (b) As per available information there are approximately 220 civilian prisoners and 400 fishermen believed to be Indian, in Pakistani jails and out of these only one has completed his sentence.

(c) to (e) High Commission of India in Islamabad regularly takes up with Pakistan Government to provide early Consular Access to prisoners in Pakistani custody who are believed to be Indian, as well as release and repatriation of all such prisoners, who have completed their prison sentence and nationality has been confirmed as Indian. The India-Pakistan Judicial Committee, consisting of retired judges of the superior judiciary from India and Pakistan to ensure humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners who have completed their prison terms, visits periodically prisons in India and Pakistan and makes recommendations to the two Governments regarding prisoners of each country in the other.

Due to Government’s efforts, 26 civil prisoners and 677 Indian fishermen were released by Pakistan in 2012 and 04 civil prisoners and 07 fishermen have been released so far in 2013.

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Pakistan
South Asia