India, Pakistan prisoner exchange lists as part of consular agreement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody on Tuesday through diplomatic channels.

“The Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 246 Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails including 193 fishermen and 53 other prisoners to a representative of the High Commission of India in Islamabad,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press statement.

Meanwhile, the Government of India handed over the list of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails to an officer of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

The list revealed that Indian jails currently hold a total of 463 Pakistanis, including 81 fishermen and 382 other prisoners.

Both countries exchanged the lists simultaneously by the Consular Access Agreement of 2008. Under this agreement, Pakistan and India are required to exchange lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody on January 1st and July 1st every year.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan has urged the Government of India to release and repatriate all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences.

Pakistan has also asked Indian authorities to grant special consular access to mentally ill and physically disabled Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails for identification. The Foreign Office further demanded that India immediately provide consular access to all Pakistani prisoners who have not yet received it.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan had also urged the Government of India to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani or believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners who are awaiting their release and repatriation.