INVC,,
Delhi,,
As per available information, presently, 582 Indian fishermen and 211 civilian prisoners are in Pakistani custody. Release of Indian prisoners from Pakistani jails has been one of the priorities of the Government. Pakistan has provided Consular Access to High Commission of India, Islamabad with respect to 33 Indian prisoners. It is believed that there are 178 other Indian nationals in Pakistani jails, who have not been provided Consular Access.
The matter was raised with Pakistan at the talks between Foreign Secretaries on February 25, 2010 in New Delhi and June 24, 2010, during Home Minister’s meeting in Islamabad on June 25 2010 and during Foreign Minister level talks in Islamabad on July 15, 2010.
Government of India has been consistently taking up the issue concerning all Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails with the Government of Pakistan at all appropriate levels. Further, an India-Pak Judicial Committee on Prisoners consisting of four retired judges from each side has been set up to recommend steps for humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners of the respective countries in each other’s jails. The committee has so far had three meetings and has given several recommendations.
Government of Pakistan has released 17 Indian prisoners on June 23, 2010. These prisoners remained in Pakistani jails for a period ranging from 2 months to 7 years for illegal Border Crossings, illegal stay, alleged spying charges, violation of Foreigners Act, Official Secrets Act, and other laws.
This information was given by Shri S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs,
