Pakistan and India exchanged on Monday lists of prisoners in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels, in Islamabad and New Delhi.
These lists are exchanged simultaneously, in pursuance of the Consular Access Agreement of 2008 on the 1st of January and 1st of July every year, according to the Foreign Office.
In a statement, it said that Pakistan handed over a list of 254 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani jails. India shared a list of 452 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian jails. A list of 38 missing Pakistani defence personnel, believed to be in India’s custody since the wars of 1965 and 1971, was also handed over by Pakistan.
The Government of Pakistan has called for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentence in India. A request for special consular access to various believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically - and mentally-challenged prisoners, has been made for expeditious confirmation of their national status, it added.
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The government also urged India to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, awaiting their release and repatriation.
While reiterating its commitment to addressing humanitarian matters, the FO said: “It will continue its endeavours to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails. As part of these efforts, repatriation of 62 Pakistani prisoners in 2023, and 04 in the current year, has so far been secured.”
