India, Pakistan exchange lists of civil prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody

New Delhi. India and Pakistan on July 1 exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, in accordance with a bilateral agreement on consular access.

The exchange is carried out twice every year – on January 1 and July 1 – under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access signed between the two countries.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has shared details of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are either Pakistani nationals or believed to be Pakistani. In return, Pakistan provided lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are either Indian nationals or believed to be Indian.

India reiterated its call for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistan’s custody.

New Delhi urged Islamabad to expedite the release and return of 188 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences and are awaiting repatriation. India also sought immediate consular access to 13 civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indian nationals but have not yet been granted such access.

The Indian government further called upon Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners until their release and return to India.

The MEA said sustained diplomatic efforts by India have resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. Of these, 500 fishermen and 20 civilian prisoners have been repatriated since 2023.