252 Indian fishermen languishing in Pakistani jails

New Delhi, Aug 3: There are 252 Indian fishermen in the jails of Pakistan, an issue which was raised by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna during the meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar here last week.

Pakistan has arrested 156 Indian fishermen in last seven months and 100 in 2010, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. She said 454 Indian fishermen have been released by Pakistan in 2010 and 103 in this year.

Indian High Commission in Islamabad, on a continuing basis, takes up the matter with the government of Pakistan for the release of all those Indian fishermen who have completed their sentences, the Minister said.

It was raised and discussed during the recently concluded Foreign Minister-level talks held here on July 27, 2011, she added.

Kaur also said that the Indian High Commission monitors the status of Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails and requests for consular access for these fishermen.

PTI