indian-fisherman-dies-in-pakistan-jail

An Indian fisherman, caught by Pakistani agencies in 2022, died in a Karachi jail, even as he completed his sentence nearly three years ago, an activist, Jatin Desai, informed. He had inadvertently crossed the international boundary. Jivan Jungi, former president of Porbandar Boat Association, confirmed the news and said the deceased was from Una in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, and had been unwell for the past several months.

The news of the death comes less than a month after a delegation representing the fishing community wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with a request to expedite the release of such persons languishing in Pakistani jails.  

 

"The fisherman, who passed away, was captured in 2022, and his sentence ended the same year after his nationality was verified. Despite the Agreement on Consular Access 2008 between the two nations, fishermen continue to languish in Pakistan jails even after their sentence gets over and their nationality is verified," Desai pointed out.

Section 5 of the agreement lays down that both governments will release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentences. This agreement remains on paper, as the deceased and most of the other fishermen who are in jail had completed their sentences long ago, and their nationality had also been confirmed, Desai highlighted.

On December 22 last year, members of the fishing community and their friends in Diu had submitted a letter to EAM Jaishankar drawing his attention to the issue. They said most of these fishermen belong to Gujarat, Diu and Maharashtra, with 160 having completed their sentences after nationality verification.

"Despite the 2008 agreement between the two countries, the fishermen continue to remain in Pakistani prisons. Their detention beyond sentence completion has left families without communication for years, causing deep distress. It has also raised serious concerns regarding their health and well-being. We request you to kindly look into this matter and take necessary steps to secure their release and repatriation," the letter said.