On Monday, India asked Pakistan to expedite the process of release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen imprisoned in the country who have completed their jail term.
The request was made as the two countries exchanged the annual lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody.
India Demands Release of Civilian Prisoners
The Indian Government urged Pakistan to enable early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen, along with their boats, from Pakistan’s custody.
🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 1, 2024
Exchange of Lists of Prisoners between Pakistan and India
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India also asked Pakistan to grant immediate consular access to the remaining 12 civilian prisoners, believed to be Indian and held in Pakistan.
“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 to India,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) remarked.
Prisoner Lists Exchanged
The lists were exchanged under provisions of a 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, whereby these lists are traded every year on the 1st of January.
“India has shared lists of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani,” an MEA release said.
“Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed to be Indian,” it added.
According to the MEA, the lists were exchanged through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad.
The Indian press release said that since 2014, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners have been returned to their home country from Pakistan as a consequence of the government’s persistent efforts.
Included in this are nine Indian civilian detainees and 478 Indian fishermen who were repatriated from Pakistan in 2023.
India Committed to Humanitarian Issues, Pakistan’s Request to India
The MEA said that India remains dedicated to giving humanitarian issues — including those involving prisoners and fishermen in one another’s nations — top consideration.
In this regard, India has urged Pakistan to take all necessary steps as soon as possible to verify the nationality of 65 people who are thought to be captives of Pakistan, including fishermen, whose return is pending due to a lack of confirmation from Pakistan regarding their nationality.
Furthermore, Pakistan also asked India to release its civilian prisoners and fishermen in custody.
“A request for grant of consular access to missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars, and special consular access to 77 civil prisoners has also been made” to India, the Pakistani press release stated.