Lahore : As India and Pakistan mark their respective Independence Days, the families of imprisoned fisherpeople,
along with the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF), Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) and Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) have urged both Governments to ensure
the immediate release and repatriation of all fisherpeople who have completed their sentences and whose
nationality has been verified. The stories of Indian fisherpeople arrested by Pakistan are shocking. Their
prolonged incarceration deprives them and their family members of basic human rights and causes severe
hardship to their families. Pakistani fisherpeople arrested by India also suffer similar hardships
At present, 198 Indian fisherpeople remain imprisoned in Pakistan. Of these, 10 completed their
sentences on 16 July 2021, 115 on 16 March 2022, 21 on 17 November 2022, 10 on 31 January 2023 and
22 on 18 July 2024. Despite having completed their sentences, they continue to remain in custody. Every
year, an estimated four to five Indian fisherpeople die while imprisoned in Pakistan. In March last year,
an Indian fisherperson also died by suicide in prison.
The prolonged detention of fisherpeople causes severe hardship not only to those imprisoned but also to their families, who face economic and emotional distress. Pakistani fisherpeople arrested and imprisoned
in India face similar difficulties.
Section 5 of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, 2008 categorically states:
“Both Governments agree to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentences.”
Unfortunately, this provision has not been implemented in letter and spirit.
The arrest and detention of fisherpeople must also be viewed from a humanitarian perspective.
Fisherpeople often cross the maritime boundary inadvertently while pursuing their livelihoods. In the last
two years, arrests have declined significantly as fisherpeople have increasingly avoided going towards the
International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) to catch fish. Ideally, both countries should move towards a ‘No Arrest Policy’ for fisherpeople who inadvertently cross the maritime boundary.
The families of imprisoned fisherpeople, together with NFF, PIPFPD and PFF, have sent a joint letter to
the Hon’ble Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan demanding the immediate release and repatriation of all imprisoned fisherpeople who have completed their sentences and nationality verification. The letter also calls for accountability for continued detention in violation of the Agreement and mechanisms
to prevent such delays in future.
As the two countries approach their respective Independence Days, the organisations and families urge
both Governments to release and repatriate these fisherpeople as a goodwill and humanitarian gesture.
Issued by: PIPFPD · National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) · Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) · Families of Imprisoned Fisherpeople