Indian ministry of external affairs (MEA) raised an "alarming" issue with Islamabad on Friday (October 7) stating that six Indian prisoners, who completed their jail terms, died in Pakistan in the last nine months.&nbsp;

The ministry's spokesperson Arindam Bagchi&nbsp;said that five of the six Indians were fishermen. Demanding answers, he said that Pakistan is "duty-bound" to ensure the safety and security of all Indian prisoners.&nbsp;

At a media briefing, Bagchi said: "Six Indians, five of them fishermen, died in Pakistani custody in the last nine months or so. All the six, interestingly, had completed their sentences, but what we would say, were illegally detained by Pakistan despite completing their sentences and in spite of multiple demands by the Indian side for their release and repatriation."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;WION Dispatch: India raises objection to US envoy's visit to PoK&nbsp;

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According to the spokesperson, there has been an increase in the number of deaths of Indian fishermen in Pakistan.&nbsp;

He further said: "The increasing incidents of deaths of Indian fishermen is alarming and raises the question of their safety and security in Pakistani jails. The matter has been raised by our high commission in Islamabad as well as with the Pakistani high commission here. We request the Pakistan government once again to release and repatriate all Indian prisoners immediately."&nbsp;

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Indian ministry of external affairs (MEA) raised an "alarming" issue with Islamabad on Friday (October 7) stating that six Indian prisoners, who completed their jail terms, died in Pakistan in the last nine months.

Indian ministry of external affairs (MEA) raised an "alarming" issue with Islamabad on Friday (October 7) stating that six Indian prisoners, who completed their jail terms, died in Pakistan in the last nine months. The ministry's spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that five of the six Indians were fishermen. Demanding answers, he said that Pakistan is "duty-bound" to ensure the safety and security of all Indian prisoners. At a media briefing, Bagchi said: "Six Indians, five of them fishermen, died in Pakistani custody in the last nine months or so. All the six, interestingly, had completed their sentences, but what we would say, were illegally detained by Pakistan despite completing their sentences and in spite of multiple demands by the Indian side for their release and repatriation." WATCH | WION Dispatch: India raises objection to US envoy's visit to PoK × According to the spokesperson, there has been an increase in the number of deaths of Indian fishermen in Pakistan. He further said: "The increasing incidents of deaths of Indian fishermen is alarming and raises the question of their safety and security in Pakistani jails. The matter has been raised by our high commission in Islamabad as well as with the Pakistani high commission here. We request the Pakistan government once again to release and repatriate all Indian prisoners immediately." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New Delhi raises ‘alarming’ issue of six Indian prisoners’ death in Pakistan within nine months

India on Thursday called on Pakistan to ensure early release and repatriation of Indian civilian prisoners and missing defence personnel languishing in Pakistani jails.

The two countries exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody in line with the provisions of a 2008 agreement.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India handed over a list of 271 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen who are in Indian custody.

Similarly, Pakistan shared a list of 51 civilian prisoners and 558 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or are believed-to-be Indians, the MEA said.

"The government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan's custody," it said.

"In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 1 Indian civilian prisoner and 295 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan," the MEA said in a statement.

In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 194 fishermen and 17 civilian prisoners who are in Pakistan's custody and are believed to be Indians, it added.

"The government also requested Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the members of the medical experts' team and facilitate their visit to Pakistan to assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind, lodged in different jails of Pakistan," the MEA said.

"It was also proposed to organise an early visit of the Joint Judicial Committee to Pakistan," it said.

The MEA said India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody.

In this context, the MEA said India has also urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 78 Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of confirmation of nationality by Islamabad.

"In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civil prisoners and fishermen," the MEA said.

India on Thursday called on Pakistan to ensure early release and repatriation of Indian civilian prisoners and missing defence personnel languishing in Pakistani jails.

India on Thursday called on Pakistan to ensure early release and repatriation of Indian civilian prisoners and missing defence personnel languishing in Pakistani jails. The two countries exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody in line with the provisions of a 2008 agreement. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India handed over a list of 271 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen who are in Indian custody. Similarly, Pakistan shared a list of 51 civilian prisoners and 558 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or are believed-to-be Indians, the MEA said. "The government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan's custody," it said. "In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 1 Indian civilian prisoner and 295 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan," the MEA said in a statement. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 194 fishermen and 17 civilian prisoners who are in Pakistan's custody and are believed to be Indians, it added. "The government also requested Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the members of the medical experts' team and facilitate their visit to Pakistan to assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind, lodged in different jails of Pakistan," the MEA said. "It was also proposed to organise an early visit of the Joint Judicial Committee to Pakistan," it said. The MEA said India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody. In this context, the MEA said India has also urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 78 Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of confirmation of nationality by Islamabad. "In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civil prisoners and fishermen," the MEA said.

India asks Pakistan to speed up release of Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen

Pakistan on Monday halted repatriation of two Indian civilian prisoners, just hours after the Indian government announced that it will be removing the special status for the Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370.

When the Indian officials reached the take custody of the prisoners, the Pakistan authorities refused. India later sent a note verbale regarding the issue.

Pakistan is mulling several actions against India in the backdrop of abrogation of Article 370 including cutting diplomatic ties, closure of Wagah border.

Former Pakistani Envoy to India Abdul Basit in a tweet said work on Kartarpur corridor that will allow Indian pilgrims to visit holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib without a visa in November 2019 to celebrate 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He tweeted, "We would welcome Sikhs to come to Pakistan in November on the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak but work on Kartarpur Corridor should stop for now."

The situation of Indian and Pakistani prisoners languishing in each other's jail has been one of the biggest humanitarian issues between the two countries.

India in July released six Pakistani prisoners and returned them to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border. In April, Pakistan released 360 Indian prisoners after New Delhi in 4 batches.&nbsp;

In its first term, the Modi government was able to secure the release of 1749 Indian prisoners, including 1725 fishermen along with 57 boats.

In December 2018, Pakistan releasing Indian Citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari after 6 years in jail. Hamid was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2012 after he was found with a fake passport. He had gone to Pakistan via Afghanistan on a fake passport to meet a girl he befriended on Facebook.&nbsp;It was followed by the release of 2 Pakistani nationals by India—Imran Warsi and Abdullah Shah.

Pakistan on Monday halted repatriation of two Indian civilian prisoners, just hours after the Indian government announced that it will be removing the special status for the Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370.

Pakistan on Monday halted repatriation of two Indian civilian prisoners, just hours after the Indian government announced that it will be removing the special status for the Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370. When the Indian officials reached the take custody of the prisoners, the Pakistan authorities refused. India later sent a note verbale regarding the issue. Pakistan is mulling several actions against India in the backdrop of abrogation of Article 370 including cutting diplomatic ties, closure of Wagah border. Former Pakistani Envoy to India Abdul Basit in a tweet said work on Kartarpur corridor that will allow Indian pilgrims to visit holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib without a visa in November 2019 to celebrate 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He tweeted, "We would welcome Sikhs to come to Pakistan in November on the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak but work on Kartarpur Corridor should stop for now." The situation of Indian and Pakistani prisoners languishing in each other's jail has been one of the biggest humanitarian issues between the two countries. India in July released six Pakistani prisoners and returned them to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border. In April, Pakistan released 360 Indian prisoners after New Delhi in 4 batches. In its first term, the Modi government was able to secure the release of 1749 Indian prisoners, including 1725 fishermen along with 57 boats. In December 2018, Pakistan releasing Indian Citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari after 6 years in jail. Hamid was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2012 after he was found with a fake passport. He had gone to Pakistan via Afghanistan on a fake passport to meet a girl he befriended on Facebook. It was followed by the release of 2 Pakistani nationals by India—Imran Warsi and Abdullah Shah.

Abrogation of Article 370: Pakistan halts repatriation of two Indian prisoners

In a big and positive move, Pakistan will give consular access&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-prisoner-hamid-nehal-ansari-to-be-released-from-pak-prison-tomorrow-sources-to-wion-184741">102 Indian prisoners</a> later this month. 100 of these prisoners are in Karachi Jail and two&nbsp;in Rawalpindi.

India and Pakistan shared the list of prisoners in each other's jails on January 1; 249 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 98 fishermen are in India's custody while Pakistan has 54 Indian civilian prisoners and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-releases-30-indian-prisoners-ahead-of-independence-day-158857">483 fishermen</a> in its custody.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 396 Indians are languishing in Pakistani jails despite having served their jail terms. It is not clear if these Indians are getting consular access or not.&nbsp;

Under the 2008 agreement between India and Pakistan, both exchange lists of prisoners and fisherman lodged in their jails on January 1 and July 1 every year.

WION reported last month how New Delhi has been engaging with Pakistan on the issue of Indian prisoners and asked Pakistan to repatriate bodies of two Indians from Jammu and Kashmir who were washed away to the other side of the border.

The development comes on the back of another positive development in India Pakistan ties which saw both clearing each other's pending diplomatic and official visas. Both also agreed on the visas of air advisers which had become a thorny issue, after intervention at the high commissioner level.&nbsp;

In December 2018, Pakistan released Indian Citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari after six years in jail. Hamid Nehal was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2012 after he was found with a fake passport. He had gone to Pakistan via Afghanistan on a fake passport to meet a girl he befriended on Facebook.

It was followed by the release of two Pakistani nationals by India--Imran Warsi and Abdullah Shah. Imran Wari had come to India in 2004 on a valid visa but overstayed after marrying an Indian girl who he loved. He was caught after trying to make a fake passport in Bhopal and released in 2018, after 10 years in jail. Shah, an autistic from Swat District, crossed over to India to meet Shah Rukh Khan in 2017.

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in October 2017 had suggested that the two sides work together to resolve humanitarian issues related to elderly, women and mentally unsound prisoners in each other’s custody calling for their early release and repatriation.&nbsp;

New Delhi purposed to revive the Joint Judicial Committee with Pakistan responding positively on 7 March 2018. India followed it up and shared the details of the medical experts' team and the reconstituted Joint Judicial Committee with Islamabad with the request to organise a visit. Pakistan has not responded so far.

In a big and positive move, Pakistan will give consular access to 102 Indian prisoners later this month. 100 of these prisoners are in Karachi Jail and two in Rawalpindi.

In a big and positive move, Pakistan will give consular access to 102 Indian prisoners later this month. 100 of these prisoners are in Karachi Jail and two in Rawalpindi. India and Pakistan shared the list of prisoners in each other's jails on January 1; 249 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 98 fishermen are in India's custody while Pakistan has 54 Indian civilian prisoners and 483 fishermen in its custody. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 396 Indians are languishing in Pakistani jails despite having served their jail terms. It is not clear if these Indians are getting consular access or not. Under the 2008 agreement between India and Pakistan, both exchange lists of prisoners and fisherman lodged in their jails on January 1 and July 1 every year. WION reported last month how New Delhi has been engaging with Pakistan on the issue of Indian prisoners and asked Pakistan to repatriate bodies of two Indians from Jammu and Kashmir who were washed away to the other side of the border. The development comes on the back of another positive development in India Pakistan ties which saw both clearing each other's pending diplomatic and official visas. Both also agreed on the visas of air advisers which had become a thorny issue, after intervention at the high commissioner level. In December 2018, Pakistan released Indian Citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari after six years in jail. Hamid Nehal was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2012 after he was found with a fake passport. He had gone to Pakistan via Afghanistan on a fake passport to meet a girl he befriended on Facebook. It was followed by the release of two Pakistani nationals by India--Imran Warsi and Abdullah Shah. Imran Wari had come to India in 2004 on a valid visa but overstayed after marrying an Indian girl who he loved. He was caught after trying to make a fake passport in Bhopal and released in 2018, after 10 years in jail. Shah, an autistic from Swat District, crossed over to India to meet Shah Rukh Khan in 2017. India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in October 2017 had suggested that the two sides work together to resolve humanitarian issues related to elderly, women and mentally unsound prisoners in each other’s custody calling for their early release and repatriation. New Delhi purposed to revive the Joint Judicial Committee with Pakistan responding positively on 7 March 2018. India followed it up and shared the details of the medical experts' team and the reconstituted Joint Judicial Committee with Islamabad with the request to organise a visit. Pakistan has not responded so far.

Pakistan to provide consular access to over 100 Indian prisoners lodged in its jails