India Pakistan share prisoner exchange lists
India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody on Wednesday, a biannual exercise carried out under the provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access signed between the two countries in 2008.The exchange took place simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, with both sides handing over lists of nationals believed to be in each other’s custody.Under the agreement, signed on May 21, 2008, both governments are required to maintain a comprehensive list of nationals of the other country under arrest, detention or imprisonment, and exchange these lists on January 1 and July 1 every year. The agreement also provides for immediate notification of arrest, detention or imprisonment of any person of the other country to the respective High Commission, and requires both governments to expeditiously inform the other of sentences awarded to convicted nationals.India shared lists of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian. The Government of India has consistently called for the early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan’s custody. In Wednesday’s exchange, New Delhi urged Islamabad to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences.India also sought immediate consular access to 13 civil prisoners in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian and have not been provided consular access so far. The Government of India urged Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners pending their release and repatriation.Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the exchange, stating that Islamabad handed over to the Indian High Commission a list of 250 Indian prisoners in Pakistan, comprising 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen.Pakistan urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners, 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen, who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed. Islamabad also called for expeditious consular access to all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners to facilitate early confirmation of their nationality, and urged India to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all Pakistani and believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners awaiting release and repatriation.The agreement provides that both governments agree to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentences. In cases of arrest, detention or sentence made on political or security grounds, each side may examine the case on its merits in special cases which call for or require compassionate and humanitarian considerations, and may exercise discretion subject to its laws and regulations to allow early release and repatriation.As a result of sustained efforts by the Government of India, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. These include 500 Indian fishermen and 20 Indian civil prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date.
