ISLAMABAD:
Despite simmering tensions, Pakistan and India adhered to the bilateral agreement on Consular Access, as the two nuclear-armed neighbours, through diplomatic channels, on Tuesday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody.
As part of the agreement signed in 2008, Pakistan and India exchange list of prisoners twice a year on 1st January and 1st July. Given the ongoing tensions, the latest exchange of lists was seen as significant.
Many bilateral arrangements between Pakistan and India are under threat after the Pahalgam attack that brought the two countries almost close to a catastrophic war.
India before launching strikes inside Pakistan unilaterally suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan, meanwhile, threatened to walk away from the 1972 Shimla Accord, though no final decision was taken yet.
Against this backdrop, the two countries, however, implemented their understanding on Consular Access.
“Today (Tuesday), Pakistan and India exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody. The exchange of lists took place in pursuance of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008,” read a statement issued here by the foreign office.
The Agreement requires both sides to share the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on 1st January and 1st July, every year. The Indian External Affairs Ministry also issued a similar statement.
The Foreign Office read out said the Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 246 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian prisoners (53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen) to a representative of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad.
Simultaneously, the Government of India shared a list of 463 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners (382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen) to a diplomat from the High Commission for Pakistan, New Delhi.
It said the Government of Pakistan called for immediate release and repatriation of all those Pakistani prisoners and fishermen, who have completed their respective sentence and whose national status stands confirmed.
“A request for special consular access has also been made for all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners for expeditious confirmation of their national status, “according to the statement.
The Government of India has been urged to provide consular access to all those prisoners to whom consular access is still awaited. The Indian side has also been urged to ensure safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody.
“The Government of Pakistan remains committed to addressing humanitarian matters as a priority. It will continue its endeavors to ensure early return of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails,” it said.
