(a) the total number of Pakistani nationals arrested and lodged
in various jails of the country, State-wise including Tihar Jail;
(b) whether there are reports that Pakistani nationals lodged in Tihar Jail
are refusing to return to their country and wanted to stay in India;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)
(a): As per information available, 360 Pakistani prisoners and 18 Pakistani fishermen (Totaling 378)
are presently lodged in various jails in India. This includes 80 Pakistani prisoners lodged in Tihar
jail in Delhi. State-wise details are given in the Annexure.
(b) to (d): On behalf of 65 Pakistani nationals who are members of the Mehdi Foundation International
(Gohar Shahis) presently lodged in Tihar Jail (which includes 12 children), a Writ Petition was field
in the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi seeking stay on their deportation apprehending that they will be
persecuted in Pakistan. On this Writ Petition, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi has granted a stay on
their deportation, which is presently valid till 30.11.2011. In pursuance of the directions of the
Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has conducted
refugee status determination in respect of these Pakistan nationals. Based on the report of UNHCR,
Government has decided to accept them as refugees and to request UNHCR to locate a third country to
which these persons can be sent. UNHCR has initiated action to locate a third country where these
Pakistani nationals could be sent.