A Gujarati fisherman held in a Pakistani prison has died, despite completing his sentence back in 2022. Peace activist and journalist Jatin Desai confirmed the death on Sunday, January 18, 2026. He did not disclose the name of the deceased individual.
Sentence Completed Years Ago
Desai stated clearly that the fisherman's sentence ended in 2022. Authorities had even verified his nationality. Under Section 5 of the Bilateral Agreement on Consular Access from 2008, both India and Pakistan agreed to release and repatriate such persons within one month after confirming their nationality and completing sentences.
"But, it's on paper," Desai remarked. "The deceased and most of the other fishermen in jail have finished their sentences long ago. Their nationality is confirmed too."
Hundreds of Fishermen Remain in Jail
Around 200 Indian fishermen currently sit in Pakistan's Malir Jail in Karachi. Pakistan arrested them for allegedly entering its maritime waters. Most come from Gujarat and the Union Territory of Diu, with 19 from Maharashtra.
Desai pointed out a grim pattern. "Every year, about three to four Indian fishermen die in Malir Jail," he said. "This is a serious issue. Families worry about their health. Some fishermen in the jail are not in good health. They need better treatment. They are losing hope of returning, and that's bad."
Humanitarian Concerns and Demands
Desai urged both India and Pakistan to view the fishermen's arrests from a humanitarian angle. He noted they often cross borders inadvertently while fishing.
Recently, a delegation of women from fisherfolk families met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. They handed over a representation asking for faster release and repatriation of Indian fishermen in Pakistani jails.
The group presented six key demands:
- Release and repatriation of the fishermen
- Urgent medical care and humanitarian return
- Revival of the Joint Judicial Committee on Prisoners, which last met in October 2013
- Return of confiscated Indian fishing boats
- Family distress support
The death underscores ongoing delays and hardships faced by Indian fishermen detained abroad, despite legal agreements meant to protect them.
