Pak – India exchanges prisoners’ list

ISLAMABAD: India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of nationals, including civilian prisoners and fishermen, of each country lodged in the jails of the other country in keeping with the provisions of the May 21st, 2008 agreement on consular access between India and Pakistan.

According to a foreign office (FO) statement, Pakistan handed over a list of 457 Indian prisoners, 58 civilians and 399 fishermen, in Pakistan, to the high commission of India in the federal capital.

This step is consistent with the provisions of the consular access agreement, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on January 1 and July 1, respectively.

Pakistan will release 146 fishermen on January 8th.

According to Indian FO, the Indian government presented a list of 250 civilian prisoners and 94 fishermen.

Additionally, lists of 54 Pakistani civilian prisoners and four fishermen, who have completed their sentence and whose nationality confirmation is awaited from Pakistan, were also handed over and Pakistan was asked to expedite confirmation of their nationality.

Furthermore, a juvenile Hasnain, whose nationality was verified by Pakistan, was repatriated on Monday.

Indian statement asserted, “India remains committed to addressing the humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country” demanding “Government has repeatedly emphasised the need for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats.”