India and Pakistan on Wednesday exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, with New Delhi urging Islamabad to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the exchange took place simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, in line with the bilateral agreement that mandates the sharing of such lists every year on January 1 and July 1.
India shared the details of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan, in turn, shared the names of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
The MEA said India has also sought immediate consular access to 13 civil prisoners in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian but have not yet been granted consular access.
New Delhi reiterated its longstanding demand for the early release and repatriation of Indian civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistan’s custody.
The government also urged Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners until their release and return to India.
According to the MEA, sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civil prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. Of these, 500 fishermen and 20 civil prisoners have been repatriated since 2023.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the exchange of prisoner lists and said it had handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners, comprising 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen, to the Indian High Commission.
Islamabad also urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners—including 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen—who, according to Pakistan, have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed.
-ani
