Indian fisherman who completed prison term dies in Pakistan's Karachi jail

An Indian fisherman languishing in a Pakistani jail has died, sources said on Friday. A total of 8 Indian fishermen have died in Pakistani jails in the last two years, they added.

The deceased has been identified as Babu, son of Kana. He is said to have died in a Karachi jail on January 23 this year. He was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2022.

“Despite completion of his sentence and confirmation of his Indian nationality, he was not released by Pakistani authorities,” sources said.

As many as 180 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentences, await release from Pakistani jails. India has been continuously raising the issue of early release of prisoners with the Pakistani side.

A total of 209 Indian fishermen, with the majority hailing from Gujarat, are currently languishing in Pakistani jails, while two fishermen, also believed to be from Gujarat, have died in custody during their detention in the country.

In Parliament’s Winter Session 2024, the government said as per the India-Pakistan agreement on consular access signed on May 21, 2008, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country lodged in the jails of the other are exchanged on January 1 and July 1 every year.

It mentioned the latest figures of “Indian/believed-to-be-Indian” fishermen languishing inside Pakistan jails till July 1, 2024, at 211. The list stated seven Indians are believed to be from Tamil Nadu.

However, it stated of 211 jailed Indians in Pakistan, two fishermen from Gujarat have died since the exchange of the last list on July 1, 2024.

The government also said of the 209 fishermen in Pakistan’s custody, 51 fishermen have been in Pakistani jails since 2021, 10,130 fishermen since 2022, nine fishermen since 2023 and 19 fishermen since 2024.