Islamabad: Pakistan and India today, exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels, adhering to the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access of 2008. This agreement mandates the exchange of such lists semi-annually, on January 1st and July 1st of every year.
The Government of Pakistan handed over a list comprising 246 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian prisoners to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. This list includes 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen.
Simultaneously, the Government of India shared a list of 463 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners with a diplomat from the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi. This list consists of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen.
The Government of Pakistan has reiterated its call for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners and fishermen who have completed their respective sentences and whose national status has been confirmed.
Furthermore, Pakistan has requested special consular access for all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including those who are physically and mentally challenged, to expedite the confirmation of their national status. The Indian side has also been urged to provide consular access to all those prisoners for whom it is still awaited and to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody.
The Government of Pakistan has affirmed its commitment to addressing humanitarian matters as a top priority and will continue its efforts to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners from Indian jails.
