The semi-annual exchange of prisoner lists between Pakistan and India took place today through diplomatic channels. This exchange was carried out under the 2008 Bilateral Consular Access Agreement, under which both countries are obligated to share lists of prisoners in their custody with each other on January 1 and July 1 every year.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, Pakistan handed over a list of 246 Indian or presumed Indian prisoners to the representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, which included 53 civilians and 193 fishermen.
At the same time, India provided a list of 463 Pakistani or presumed Pakistani prisoners to the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi, which included 382 civilians and 81 fishermen.
Pakistan has demanded that India immediately release all Pakistani prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed.
Special consular access should be provided to all such prisoners, especially those who are mentally or physically challenged, to expedite the process of nationality verification. Consular access must also be provided to those prisoners who have not yet been granted this facility. The safety, protection, and welfare of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails must be ensured.
The Foreign Office stated that the Government of Pakistan is committed to resolving these matters on a priority basis on humanitarian grounds and will continue its efforts for the early repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners held in Indian jails.
