MoS External Affairs replied to RS MP Parimal Nathwani
Bilkul online
Ahmedabad | 04 Dec 2025
As a result of sustained efforts by the Government, 2661 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This information was provided by Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh in Rajya Sabha, while replying to a question raised by Member of Parliament Shri Parimal Nathwani regarding fishermen from Gujarat released from Pakistan jails during the last three years.
The Minister stated that in calendar year 2025, 18 fishermen from Gujarat have been released so far from Pakistan jails, while there were an estimated 123 fishermen from Gujarat in Pakistan jails as of 01 January, 2025. In calendar year 2024 not a single fisherman from Gujarat was released from Pakistan jails, while 432 fishermen were released in 2023.
In a detailed explanation, the Minister further stated that Government of India attaches high priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. As soon as the instances of apprehension of Indian fishermen by Pakistani authorities are reported, immediate steps are taken by the High Commission of India in Islamabad to seek consular access from the Government of Pakistan. During consular access, officials from the High Commission of India visit the Indian/ believed-to-be-Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails to ascertain their well-being and distribute daily-use welfare items. All possible assistance, including legal assistance, is extended to the Indian fishermen for their early release and repatriation, along with the release of their boats. The issue is consistently raised with the Government of Pakistan, underlining that the issue may be considered purely on humanitarian and livelihood grounds.
India and Pakistan exchange lists of fishermen and civilian prisoners of each country, lodged in jails of the other, on 1st January and 1st July every year. According to the lists exchanged on 01.01.2025, Pakistan acknowledged the custody of 217 Indian/believed-to-be Indian fishermen. Since the exchange of these lists, as of March 2025, it is estimated that 01 Indian fisherman passed away and 22 Indian fishermen were released and repatriated to India. Out of the remaining 194 Indian/believed-to-be Indian fishermen currently imprisoned in Pakistan, 123 fishermen are from/believed-to-be from Gujarat. Out of these 123 fishermen, 33 fishermen were apprehended in 2021; 68 fishermen in 2022; 09 fishermen in 2023; and 13 fishermen in 2024.