ISLAMABAD: Exchange of list of prisoners between India and Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: India
and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New
Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their
custody. This is in keeping with the provisions of the 2008 Agreement under
which such lists are exchanged every year on 1st January and 1st July.

India handed over lists of 271 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen in
India’s custody to Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 51
civilian prisoners and 558 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or are
believed-to-be Indians.

The Government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian
prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their
boats, from Pakistan’s custody. In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite
the release and repatriation of 1 Indian civilian prisoner and 295 Indian
fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to
Pakistan. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular
access to 194 fishermen and 17 civilian prisoners who are in Pakistan’s custody
and are believed to be Indian.

The Government also requested Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the
members of the medical experts team and facilitate their visit to Pakistan to
assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind,
lodged in different jails of Pakistan. It was also proposed to organise an
early visit of the Joint Judicial Committee to Pakistan.

India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters,
including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each others country.
In this context, India has also urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at
its end to confirm the nationality status of 78 Pakistan prisoners, including
fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation
by Pakistan. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan has been requested to
ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian
civil prisoners and fishermen.