Pakistan, India exchange lists of prisoners despite recent tensions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Tuesday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody as part of an international agreement between the two countries, the foreign office spokesperson said in a statement, despite the recent armed conflict in May this year.

As per the statement, the exchange of lists took place in pursuance of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, which requires both sides to share the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on January 1 and July 1 each year.

Islamabad handed over a list of “246 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian prisoners (53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen)” to a representative of the Indian High Commission.

Similarly, the Government of India shared a list of 463 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners (382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen) to a diplomat from the High Commission for Pakistan, New Delhi, it added.

“The Government of Pakistan has called for the immediate release and repatriation of all those Pakistani prisoners and fishermen who have completed their respective sentences and whose national status stands confirmed,” the foreign office said.

Furthermore, Islamabad said that a request for special consular access has also been made for all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners, for expeditious confirmation of their national status.

“The Government of India has been urged to provide consular access to all those prisoners to whom consular access is still awaited,” it maintained.

The Indian side has also been urged to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody, the statement read.