NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday requested Pakistan to hasten the release and return of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. Additionally, India sought immediate consular access to 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani custody who are believed to be Indian nationals, as stated by the ministry of external affairs (MEA).
This request was made during the biannual exchange of prisoner lists between the two nations, a practice established under a 2008 agreement, occurring on January 1 and July 1 each year.
“The Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan’s custody. Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan’s custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far,” MEA said in a statement.
India has provided details of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani nationals or presumed to be Pakistani.
Pakistan has reciprocated by sharing information about 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody who are Indian nationals or presumed to be Indian, according to the MEA.
“The government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan’s custody,” it said.
India specifically asked Pakistan to ensure proper care and well-being of all Indian and presumed Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen until their return to India.
The MEA affirmed India’s dedication to prioritising humanitarian issues, including matters concerning prisoners and fishermen in both countries.
India has requested Pakistan to accelerate the nationality verification of 76 presumed Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian custody, whose return awaits confirmation of nationality from Pakistan.
The MEA reported that since 2014, through persistent efforts by the Government, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have returned from Pakistan. This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been returned from Pakistan in 2023 to date.
