India, Pakistan exchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen
India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters: Ministry
New Delhi: India and Pakistan on Wednesday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels, simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad.
Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access (2008), such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1.
India has provided details of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are either Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared the names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
In a release, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that India has urged the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen, and their boats, along with missing Indian defence personnel in Pakistan’s custody.
India has specifically requested Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. Additionally, India has called for immediate consular access for 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen believed to be Indian, who are in Pakistan’s custody and have not yet been provided consular access.
The release emphasised that Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen pending their release and repatriation.
“India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those concerning prisoners and fishermen in each other’s countries,” the ministry said.
India also urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process for 76 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India’s custody, whose repatriation is pending due to a lack of nationality confirmation from Pakistan.
Thanks to sustained efforts by the Indian 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 since 2023.
