India-Pakistan Relation: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a press release saying that India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their respective country’s custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad on Saturday. -be provided. Under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, the two countries exchange such lists every year on January 1 and July 1.
India-Pakistan shared list
“India has shared a list of 343 civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistanis or believed to be Pakistanis. Similarly, Pakistan has shared a list of 42 civilian prisoners and 266 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians Or are considered Pakistanis. The Indian government has called for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defense personnel and fishermen, along with their boats, from Pakistani custody, the release said.
India requested Pakistan
“In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 254 Indian fishermen and 04 Indian civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. In addition, Pakistan was asked to immediately repatriate the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilians. Asked to provide consular access to prisoners in Pakistan’s custody who are believed to be Indians.
“Pakistan is requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all such Indians, including Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, till their release and repatriation to India,” the official release said.
India committed to address on a priority basis all humanitarian matters including those relating to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to verify the nationality status of 62 Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan.
Explain that since 2014, as a result of the sustained efforts of the government, 2,559 Indian fishermen and 63 Indian civilian prisoners have been brought back from Pakistan. This includes 398 Indian fishermen and 05 Indian civilian prisoners who were brought back from Pakistan so far this year, the MEA release said.