Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any data of boats of released fishermen by Pakistan Authorities; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any data of boats of released fishermen by Pakistan Authorities; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b As per available information, there are 975 Indian fishermen boats in Pakistan’s custody. However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the number of boats of Indian fishermen in their custody.
Government regularly takes up the issue of release and repatriation of Indian fishermen along with their boats with the Pakistan authorities. Due to persistent efforts of the Government, 57 boats were released and repatriated in March 2015. Later, visit of a team including fishermen representatives, was organised to Karachi in March 2016 to assess the condition of 22 other Indian fishing boats in Pakistan’s custody. Response from Pakistan Government is awaited for visit of a follow up delegation for repatriation of these boats.