Delay In Release Leads To Indian Fisherman’s Death In Pakistan Jail, Eighth Case In 2 Years

Last Updated:January 24, 2025, 21:19 IST

This stands as the eighth such case where an Indian fisherman died in a Pakistan jail awaiting his release after completion of an ordered prison term.

Representative image of a fisherman | PTI Image

An Indian fisherman, who was awaiting his release from the Karachi jail, died while serving a delayed prison term in Pakistan, said the Indian government sources on Friday, January 24.

The prisoner, identified as Babu, was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2022 and had completed his prison term. However, his release faced a delay by the Pakistani authorities, leading to his death on January 23.

This stands as the eighth such case where an Indian fisherman died in a Pakistan jail awaiting his release after completion of an ordered prison term. The reported deaths of Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails have raised concerns about their treatment and living conditions.

Currently, nearly 180 Indian fishermen, who have served their sentences, are still held in Pakistan, hoping to return to their motherland, the sources said.

India has been consistently urging Pakistan for the early release of these prisoners. However, the issue remains a point of contention between the two countries.

In April 2024, Vinod Laxman Koal, a fisherman from Maharashtra, died after being arrested by Pakistani authorities for crossing into their waters in October 2022. While imprisoned in Karachi, he suffered a paralysis attack on March 8 and passed away on March 17 during treatment.

The Ministry of External Affairs reported on December 20, 2024, that Pakistan held 209 Indian fishermen. Of these, 51 were jailed since 2021, 130 since 2022, 9 in 2023, and 19 in 2024. Since 2014, 2,639 Indian fishermen have been repatriated.

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News world Delay In Release Leads To Indian Fisherman’s Death In Pakistan Jail, Eighth Case In 2 Years