New Delhi:
The appeal came as India and Pakistan exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. The exchange is carried out twice a year, on January 1 and July 1.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India shared lists of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
“Pakistan has been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences,” the MEA said. It added that Pakistan had also been asked to provide immediate consular access to 13 civil prisoners in its custody who are believed to be Indian but have not been granted access so far.
India also urged Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners pending their release and repatriation.
The MEA said sustained efforts by the Indian government had led to the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civil prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. These include 500 fishermen and 20 civil prisoners repatriated since 2023.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the exchange, saying Islamabad had handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners, including 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen, to the Indian High Commission. Pakistan said it had urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners, including 64 civilians and 33 fishermen, who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed.
