Indians in Pak jails not given consular access- Pranab

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) The government today informed the Lok Sabha that at least 92 Indian civilian prisoners in Pakistani jails have yet not been given consular access.

"Besides 390 fishermen and 149 civilian prisoners and 74 PoWs are still languishing in Pakistani jails," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a written reply.

The minister was asked whether the government had any reports of inhuman treatment meted out to Indian prisoners in Paksitan.

The minsiter said Indian prisoners released by Pakistan had reported illtreatment during imprisonment.

Elaborating, Mr Mukherjee said Pakistani authorities did not inform the Indian Mission of the arrest of Indians and consular access was not given to them until they completed their sentence.

"In many cases it is delayed beyond that," the Minister added.

Indian Embassies in Gulf: To another query Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed informed the House that the government is considering a proposal for creation of as many as 287 posts in Indian Missions and Posts abroad." This is being considered by the Finance ministry and it includes 87 posts in the Indian Missions and Posts in the Gulf," the minister added.

UNI