Pakistan, India swap prisoners’ lists

ISLAMABAD, July 01 (APP): In pursuance of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, Pakistan and India, Wednesday, exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody.

Under the Agreement, signed on 21 May 2008, both sides are required to exchange these lists on 1 January and 1 July every year.

“The Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners in Pakistan (52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen) to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Simultaneously, the Government of India provided a list of 439 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen, who are in Indian jails,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press statement.

Additionally, the government of India was urged to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners (64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen) who had completed their sentences and whose nationality had been confirmed.

“India was also urged to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all Pakistani and believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners awaiting release and repatriation,” it was added.

The government of Pakistan also called for expeditious consular access to all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners to facilitate the early confirmation of their nationality.

The spokesperson further said that the government of Pakistan would continue its efforts to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners.