(a) the number of fishermen in Pakistan’s custody;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to get these fishermen released; and
(c) the number of fishermen released during each of the last three years?
(a) the number of fishermen in Pakistan’s custody;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to get these fishermen released; and
(c) the number of fishermen released during each of the last three years?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) As per available information, currently 209 Indian and believed-to-be-Indian fishermen are in Pakistan’s custody.
(b) & (c) Government of India has consistently taken up the issue of early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen along with their boats from Pakistan’s custody. As a result of persistent efforts, release and repatriation of 1447 Indian fishermen has been secured since 2016. This includes 355 Indian fishermen who have returned this year. The year-wise details are as below:
<pre>
Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 (till 20 June 2019)
Indian Fishermen released 410 508 174 355
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