India and Pakistan exchange lists of civilian prisoners, fishermen
| 2024-07-01
Representative image.
The lists were exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the MEA said
India has called for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday (July 1, 2024) as the two countries exchanged lists in this regard.
The lists were exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the MEA said. The practice is in keeping with the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008; such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and on July 1.
India has shared the names of 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian.
According to the MEA, Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 185 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence.
“In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 47 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far. Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India,” the MEA stated.
As per figures shared by the MEA, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014 as a result of sustained efforts by the government. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date.
“India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country,” the MEA stated.
In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 75 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India’s custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan, the MEA added.
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