New Delhi : India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody, in accordance with the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. The exchange is carried out twice every year, on January 1 and July 1.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has shared the names of 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani nationals. In return, Pakistan has shared the names of 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian nationals.
The Government of India reiterated its call for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan’s custody. New Delhi has also urged Islamabad to expedite the release and return of 188 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences.
India further requested Pakistan to provide immediate consular access to 13 civilian prisoners believed to be Indian nationals who, according to the MEA, have not yet been granted such access. The government also called upon Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners until their release and repatriation.
The MEA said that sustained diplomatic efforts by the Government of India have resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. Of these, 500 fishermen and 20 civilian prisoners have been repatriated since 2023.