Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Pakistan has seized large number of fishing boats of Indian fishermen in the last few years;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is aware of the report that the fishing boats which were seized by Pakistani authorities are being auctioned posing a grave threat to Indian coastal security;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken by the Union Government thereon; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER: THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) & (b) According to available information, the number of boats of Indian fishermen reportedly captured by Pakistani authorities is 575. Moreover, several cases of capture of Indian boats are not confirmed by the Pakistan side.

(c) to (e) Government has seen media reports that Pakistani authorities have started auctioning Indian boats seized by them. Government has been consistently taking up the issue concerning all Indian fishermen and their boats in Pakistani custody with the Government of Pakistan at all appropriate levels. The matter was taken up at the Foreign Secretary level talks in February 2010, June 2010 and June 2011; in the Home/Interior Secretary level talks in March 2011 and Foreign Minister level talks in July 2010 and July 2011. Home Minister also raised the issue during his visit to Islamabad in June 2010. An India-Pakistan Judicial Committee has also been set up consisting of retired judges of superior judiciary from both countries to ensure humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners, including fishermen, who have completed their prison term. The Judicial Committee, in its 5th meeting held in India from January 23-27, 2012, has recommended that the fishermen should be repatriated by sea lanes, along with their boats. High Commission of India, Islamabad, on a continuing basis, monitors the status of Indian prisoners including fishermen in Pakistani jails and takes up the issue of their early release and return of their boats with the Government of Pakistan.

Pakistan
South Asia