At least 232 Indian fishermen are presently lodged in jails in Pakistan, Indian minister has revealed.

New Delhi, Feb 6/Nationalturk – India has said that 232 fishermen of country are presently lodged in different jails in neighbouring country Pakistan.

“As per available information, 232 fishermen believed to be Indian are in Pakistani jails as on January 1, 2014,” Indian Minister of State in External Affairs Ministry Preneet Kaur told lawmakers in Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament.

She said consular access to 98 of these detained fishermen has been provided by the Pakistani authorities. “The nationality of 93 of them has been confirmed.

‘476 fishermen detained in 2011, 250 in 2012 and 349 in 2013’

Giving figures, the minister said they 476 fishermen believed to be Indian were arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2011. “Similarly 250 Indian fishermen were arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2012 and 349 fishermen in 2013”.

“103 Indian fishermen were released by Pakistani authorities in 2011, 667 in 2012 and 390 in 2013,” she said.

‘Indian Govt monitors status of all Indian prisoners’

Referring to measures taken  to secure release of detained fishermen, Kaur said, “Indian government monitors the status of all Indian prisoners including fishermen in Pakistani jails and takes up the matter with Pakistan government for their early release”.

She said an India-Pakistan Judicial Committee has also been set up consisting retired judges from both countries to ensure humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners, including fishermen, who have completed their prison term.

“Due to Indian government`s efforts, 390 fishermen were released by Pakistan in 2013,” added the minister.

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