New Delhi: an Indian fisherman died in Karachi prison January 23. Despite having fulfilled his sentence and confirmed his Indian nationality, the Pakistani authorities did not release him, according to the sources.
The fisherman has been identified as Babu, son of Kana.
Offering condolences to the deceased’s family, the sources reported that the Pakistani authorities in 2022 had arrested Babu.
The sources also said that in the last two years, this is the eighth Indian fisherman who dies in Pakistan and 180 Indian fishermen who have fulfilled their sentences await their release from the Pakistani prison.
India has continuously raising the question of the early release of prisoners to the Pakistani part, the sources said.
In particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement of December 13, 2024, said: “According to the ‘India-Pakistan Agreement On consular access’ signed on May 21, 2008, the lists of civil and fishermen prisoners of each country, housed in the prisons of the other, are exchanged on January 1 and July 1 of each year. According to the lists exchanged on July 1, 2024, Pakistan has recognized the custody of 211 Indian or supposedly Indian fishermen, which include 24 Daman and Diu fishermen and none of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. “
“The 24 fishermen of Daman and Diu have been provided consular access and their Indian nationality has also been confirmed and transmitted to the Pakistan government. Pakistan has been asked to accelerate the release and repatriation of all Indian fishermen, including those of Daman and Diu. MEA statement.
The MEA in its statement also reported that since 2014, 2,639 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Pakistan.
