NEW DELHI, July 1 (ANI) — India on Wednesday renewed its call for the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences in Pakistan, while also seeking consular access for 13 Indian nationals currently in Pakistani custody.
The development came as India and Pakistan exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, which mandates such exchanges twice a year.
According to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement, the exchange took place simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad through diplomatic channels.
India shared details of 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani nationals. Pakistan, in turn, provided a list of 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
India urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have already completed their sentences.
It also sought immediate consular access for 13 civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian nationals but have not yet been granted access.
The MEA reiterated India’s consistent call for the early return of prisoners, fishermen, their boats, and missing defence personnel from Pakistan’s custody, and urged Islamabad to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners pending their release.
According to the ministry, sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 civilian prisoners from Pakistan since 2014, including 500 fishermen and 20 civilian prisoners since 2023.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed the exchange, stating it had handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners, comprising 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen.
Islamabad said it has urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners, including 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen, who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed.
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