Q.1235 Indian released from Pakistan's jails

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Pakistan Government has recently released some of the Indian prisoners from their jail;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the nature of crimes committed by these persons along with the period of their imprisonment in Pakistan; and
(d) the number of Indians those are still languishing in Pakistani Jails and by when they are likely to be released?

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

(a) & (b) Yes. Government of Pakistan has released 17 Indian prisoners on June 23, 2010.

(c) These prisoners remained in Pakistani jails for a period ranging from 2 months to 7 years for illegal Border Crossings, illegal stay, alleged spying charges, violation of Foreigners Act, Official Secrets Act, and other laws.

(d) As per available information, presently, 582 Indian fishermen and 211 civilian prisoners are in Pakistani custody. Release of Indian prisoners from Pakistani jails has been one of the priorities of the Government. The matter was raised with Pakistan at the talks between Foreign Secretaries on February 25, 2010 in New Delhi and June 24, 2010, during Home Minister’s meeting in Islamabad on June 25 2010 and during Foreign Minister level talks in Islamabad on July 15, 2010.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220116337.

Rajya Sabha