India and Pakistan to exchange lists of civilian prisoners, fishermen in each other’s custody: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

India and Pakistan on July 1 exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody, the Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that as a result of sustained efforts by the Indian government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1 as per the provisions of the Bilateral Consular Access Agreement of 2008. “India and Pakistan today exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad,” it said.

India has released the names of 366 Pakistani or suspected Pakistani civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen it is holding, while Pakistan has released the names of 43 Indian or suspected Indian civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen it is holding, the foreign ministry added.

India is seeking the “early release and repatriation” of civilian prisoners, fishermen and their boats, and missing Indian defence forces personnel in Pakistani custody, the defence ministry said.

“Pakistan has been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. Pakistan has further been requested to grant immediate consular access to 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani custody who are believed to be Indian nationals and who have so far been denied consular access,” the statement said.

Pakistan has been asked to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and Indian-apparent civilian prisoners and fishermen until their release and repatriation to India, it said.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India would continue to give priority to all humanitarian issues, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen from both countries. “In this context, India has requested Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process for 75 suspected Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian custody. Repatriation is on hold in the absence of nationality verification from Pakistan,” the statement said.

“As a result of sustained efforts by the government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date,” it added.