A delegation representing the families of approximately 200 Indian fishermen imprisoned in Pakistan met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday, December 23, 2025. The group submitted a formal representation urging the government to expedite the release and repatriation of the detainees, many of whom have already completed their sentences.
Delegation Presents Urgent Demands to EAM
The delegation included prominent activists working for the fishermen community, namely Jatin Desai, Jivan Jungi, and Chhagan Bamania. They were joined by three women from the affected fisherfolk families, who have been vocal about this humanitarian issue for some time. The meeting aimed to highlight the prolonged suffering of the fishermen and their families.
The representation handed to Minister Jaishankar provided critical details. It stated that most of the imprisoned fishermen hail from Gujarat, Diu, and Maharashtra. Crucially, it revealed that around 160 of them have already served their full sentences, and their Indian nationality was confirmed by authorities long ago.
Violation of Bilateral Agreement Cited
The activists pointed to a clear breach of the India-Pakistan Agreement on Consular Access signed in 2008. They specifically cited Section 5 of the pact, which mandates that both governments agree to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirming their nationality and the completion of their sentences.
"Despite this agreement, the fishermen continue to remain in Pakistani prisons," the representation noted. It emphasized that their detention beyond the sentence completion date has severed communication with families for years, causing profound distress and raising serious concerns about their health and overall wellbeing.
Six Key Demands for Immediate Action
The delegation put forward a set of six concrete demands to address the crisis:
- Immediate release and repatriation of all Indian fishermen.
- Provision of urgent medical care and ensuring a humanitarian return process.
- Revival of the dormant Joint Judicial Committee on Prisoners, which last convened in October 2013.
- Return of confiscated Indian fishing boats by Pakistani authorities.
- Establishment of a support system for families enduring severe distress.
The prolonged incarceration of these fishermen, primarily from coastal regions of western India, remains a persistent humanitarian and diplomatic challenge. The families and activists hope the direct appeal to the External Affairs Minister will catalyze swift diplomatic action to bring the men home.
