India, Pakistan Exchange Prisoner and Fishermen Lists Under Bilateral Accord
India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody, under the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access. The exchange, conducted through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, is part of a biannual process held on January 1 and July 1.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi shared a list of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen who are either Pakistani nationals or believed to be so. In return, Pakistan shared details of 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen believed to be Indian.
India has urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 159 Indian prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences, and to provide immediate consular access to 26 individuals believed to be Indian nationals. India also asked Pakistan to confirm the nationality of 80 prisoners and fishermen still in Indian custody to facilitate their return.
Since 2014, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan, including 500 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners since 2023.
