India, Pakistan share lists of prisoners and fishermen in custody

India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody, the chill in bilateral ties notwithstanding.

The lists were exchanged simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad through diplomatic channels. Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and July 1.

India shared names of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan shared names of 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believed to be Indian.


India called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody, according to an external affairs ministry statement. It urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 159 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentence.

In addition, India asked Pakistan to provide consular access to 26 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody who are believed to be Indian and have not been provided consular access so far, according to the statement.

Pakistan has been requested to ensure safety, security and welfare of Indians and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India. "India remains committed to addressing all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country," said the external affairs ministry.