Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of Indian Prisoners of War (PoWs) still languishing in Pak jails and their details;
(b) the action taken by the Government to bring them back;
(c) whether the Government of Pakistan has denied the existence of these PoWs;
(d) if so, whether the Government has raised this issue with UN Human Rights Commission and with the International Red Cross; and
(e) if so, the outcome thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) According to available information, 74 Missing Defence Personnel are believed to be in Pakistani jails, including 54 since 1971.

(b) & (c) Government has repeatedly taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan through diplomatic channels and during high-level contacts for their release. However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the presence of any Missing Defence Personnel in its custody. During the visit of External Affairs Minister to Pakistan in January 2007, Pakistan Government was persuaded to receive a delegation of relatives of Missing Defence Personnel to permit them to visit prisons in Pakistan, where they are believed to be incarcerated. A delegation of relatives, accordingly, visited 10 jails in Pakistan from June 1-14, 2007. The delegation could not conclusively confirm the physical presence of the 74 Missing Defence Personnel. Pursuant to the visit of the delegation of the relatives of Missing Defence Personnel, a Tri-Service Committee for monitoring matters on the subject has been formed in the Ministry of Defence.

(d) & (e) Under the Simla Agreement, the Government is committed to resolving all issues with Pakistan through peaceful negotiations and bilateral dialogue.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216003

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