india-seeks-release-of-188-prisoners-from-pakistan

India on Wednesday renewed its demand for the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences in Pakistan, while also seeking immediate consular access to 13 civil prisoners believed to be Indian.

 

The demand came as India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, a biannual exercise carried out on January 1 and July 1 through diplomatic channels.

 

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India shared details of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan, in turn, handed over lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian.

 

In a statement, the MEA said India had urged Pakistan to expedite the release of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have already completed their jail terms.

 

New Delhi also sought immediate consular access to 13 civil prisoners believed to be Indian, saying they had not been granted such access despite repeated requests.

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The government reiterated its longstanding position that all Indian civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel in Pakistan's custody should be released and repatriated at the earliest.

 

India also called upon Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners until their return.

 

The MEA said sustained diplomatic efforts had resulted in the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civil prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. Of these, 500 fishermen and 20 civil prisoners have been brought back since 2023.

 

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the exchange of prisoner lists and said it had provided details of 250 Indian prisoners, comprising 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen.

 

Islamabad also urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners—64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen—who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been verified.