Pakistan & India exchange prisoners’ lists

ISLAMABAD: India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s jails through their diplomatic channels in Islamabad and New Delhi.

According to the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, these lists are exchanged twice a year, on January 1 and July 1.

Pakistan has provided a list of 254 Indian prisoners, including fishermen, who are imprisoned in Pakistan.

India has shared a list of 452 Pakistanis, including fishermen, who are imprisoned in India.

Pakistan also handed over a list of 38 Pakistani defense personnel missing since the 1965 and 1971 wars, who are believed to be in Indian custody.

Pakistan has urged India to immediately release and send back Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences. It also requested special consular access for some detainees, including those with physical or mental disabilities, and asked for immediate verification of their nationality.

Pakistan stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and welfare of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails. The country is committed to resolving humanitarian issues and ensuring the early return of its prisoners from India.

So far in 2023, 62 Pakistani prisoners have been repatriated and four more have been repatriated this year.