The Central government on Monday revealed that out of 194 Indian fishermen currently imprisoned in Pakistan, 123 are from Gujarat.
In response to a query raised by Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said: “Among the 123 fishermen from Gujarat, 33 were apprehended in 2021, 68 in 2022, nine in 2023, and 13 in 2024.”
India and Pakistan exchange lists of fishermen and civilian prisoners lodged in each other’s jails twice a year, on January 1 and July 1. The list exchanged on January 1 this year showed that Pakistan acknowledged the custody of 217 Indian fishermen.
Since then, one Indian fisherman has died, and 22 have been released and repatriated to India.
The minister stated that the Indian government prioritises the welfare, safety, and security of its fishermen.
“Upon receiving reports of apprehension, the Indian Mission in Islamabad takes immediate steps to secure consular access and works towards their early release and repatriation. Legal assistance is provided, and the issue of their release is consistently raised with Pakistan, emphasising humanitarian and livelihood considerations,” he asserted.
The process of release and repatriation is governed by the ‘India-Pakistan Agreement on Consular Access 2008.’
The ‘India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners,’ comprising retired High Court Judges from both countries, was established in 2008 to recommend measures for the humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners and fishermen. The committee has held seven meetings to date.
The minister also mentioned that the Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, implements various flagship programmes for the welfare of fishermen.
Additionally, the Gujarat government operates a relief scheme to provide financial assistance to the families of detained fishermen.
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