India Pak exchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in custody

India and Pakistan on Tuesday simultaneously exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody, according to Ministry of External Affairs.

India has shared list of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed-to-be-Pakistani. The government called for early release and return of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody.

The Indian government has asked Pakistan to soon release and repatriate 159 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence.

Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India, said MEA in a release.

India has also asked urged Pakistan to ensure safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen under its custody.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has shared names of 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian.

Since 2014, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan.

Such lists are exchanged every year on 1st January and on 1st July under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008.