India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged the latest lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody under the provisions of the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The lists were shared simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.
According to the MEA, India has provided Pakistan with the details of 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen currently lodged in Indian jails who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani nationals. In return, Pakistan shared information on 58 civilian prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
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The Government of India urged Pakistan to ensure the early release and repatriation of all civilian prisoners and fishermen — along with their boats — as well as missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistani custody. New Delhi also specifically called for the immediate release of 167 Indian prisoners and fishermen who have already completed their sentences but remain detained in Pakistan.
Further, India requested Pakistan to grant urgent consular access to 35 individuals in Pakistani custody who are believed to be Indian nationals but have not yet been visited by Indian officials.
The exchange of prisoner lists is carried out twice every year — on January 1 and July 1 — as part of the 2008 agreement.
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