India, Pakistan exchange lists of civilian prisoners, including fishermen

India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan's custody.

India conveyed this to Pakistan as the two countries on Saturday exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody.

Pakistan has also been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 254 Indian fishermen and 4 Indian civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

India has shared lists of 343 civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani, the MEA added.

Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 42 civilian prisoners and 266 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian.

In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian.

Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indians and believed to be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India.

India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country.

In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 62 believed to be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan.

As a result of sustained efforts by the Indian government, 2559 Indian fishermen and 63 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014, the MEA said.

This includes 398 Indian fishermen and 05 Indian civilian prisoners who were repatriated from Pakistan this year, so far, the MEA added.