Appeal comes as the two countries exchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen under the 2008 consular agreement….reports Asian Lite News Desk
India on Wednesday urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their prison terms, while also seeking immediate consular access to 13 believed-to-be-Indian civilians in Pakistani custody.
The appeal came as India and Pakistan simultaneously exchanged, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody.
The exchange is carried out twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access between the two countries.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has shared a list of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani nationals.
In return, Pakistan shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.
“The Government of India has consistently called for the early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan’s custody. Pakistan has been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners, who have completed their sentences,” the MEA said in a statement.
India also called on Pakistan to provide immediate consular access to 13 civil prisoners believed to be Indian nationals who have yet to receive such access.
The MEA further urged Islamabad to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners until their release and return.
Highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts, the ministry said that since 2014, India has secured the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civil prisoners from Pakistan.
Of these, 500 Indian fishermen and 20 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated since 2023, reflecting continued engagement between the two countries on humanitarian issues despite broader bilateral tensions.
