Islamabad:
Pakistan and India on Monday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels in Islamabad and New Delhi.
According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release, these lists are exchanged simultaneously on January 1 and July 1 each year under the 2008 Consular Access Agreement.
Pakistan handed over a list of 254 Indian or suspected Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani prisons. India shared a list of 452 Pakistani or suspected Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian prisons. A list of 38 missing Pakistani defence personnel believed to be in Indian custody since the 1965 and 1971 wars was also handed over by Pakistan.
The Government of Pakistan has called for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences in India. It has requested special consular access to prisoners believed to be Pakistani, including those with physical and mental disabilities, and immediate verification of their nationality, the press release added.
The Pakistani government also urged India to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Pakistani or Pakistani-like prisoners awaiting release and repatriation.
The Government of Pakistan is committed to addressing humanitarian issues as a priority and will continue efforts to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners held in Indian prisons.
As part of these efforts, the repatriation of 62 Pakistani prisoners has so far been secured in 2023 and four this year.
