Islamabad (HRNW)- Pakistan and India have exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels under the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access.
According to the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, under the agreement signed on May 21, 2008, both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners on January 1 and July 1 every year.
Pakistan handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, including 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen.
In return, India shared a list of 439 Pakistani or believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, comprising 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen.
The Foreign Office 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 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails, while requesting that consular access be granted without delay to facilitate the verification of the nationality of the remaining detainees.
The Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated that the Government of Pakistan will continue its efforts to secure the early release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners.
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