Pakistan and India Exchange Lists of Prisoners Under Bilateral Consular Agreement
Islamabad: Pakistan and India have exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody in accordance with the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, the Foreign Office said on Tuesday.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the exchange was carried out through diplomatic channels under the agreement signed on May 21, 2008, which requires both countries to exchange such lists twice a year, on January 1 and July 1.
Pakistan handed over to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad a list of 250 Indian prisoners, including 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen.
In return, India provided Pakistan with a list of 439 Pakistani or presumed Pakistani prisoners, comprising 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan has urged India to immediately release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners—including 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen—who have completed their sentences and whose Pakistani nationality has already been verified.
Pakistan also called on India to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Pakistani and presumed Pakistani prisoners held in Indian jails. It further requested that consular access be granted at the earliest to presumed Pakistani prisoners so that the process of verifying their nationality can be completed.
The Foreign Office reiterated that the Government of Pakistan remains committed to securing the early repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners held abroad and will continue its efforts to facilitate their return.
