Fishing Community Urges MEA to Free Indian Fishermen

Surat : Leaders of the fishing community has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to use diplomatic channels to ensure that the fishermen languishing in the Pakistani jails are back with their families. 

Fishing community leaders said that an Indian fisherman (name withheld) died in a Pakistan jail on September 5 2024. The most shocking part is his sentence was over in July 2021. His nationality was also confirmed long ago. Had he been released earlier he might have been alive today.

The section (V) of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, categorically says,” Both Governments agree to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentences”. It means he should have been sent back to India long ago. 

52 Indian fishermen are in Pakistan’s jail for more than three years. Other 130 Indian fishermen are in prison for over two years. Their sentences are over and their nationality is also confirmed by India. As on today 210 Indian fishermen are in Pakistan’s Malir Jail, Karachi.

The family members of arrested Indian fishermen are tense and worried. The Ministry for External Affairs should use diplomatic channels and see they are back with their families soon.

“Our information is that around 10 Indian fishermen are not well. They need good treatment. A team of Indian doctors need to visit and check their health conditions” said Jatin Desai, journalist and peace activist. 

“The mortal remains of the Indian fisherman should be sent home urgently. It is our long experience that the mortal remains of the fishermen takes about a month to reach India” siad Veljibhai Masani, leader of fishing community.