ISLAMABAD: Using a diplomatic conduit, Pakistan and India exchanged lists of prisoners under detention on Monday between Islamabad and New Delhi.
According to the Consular Access Agreement of 2008, these lists are exchanged concurrently on January 1 and July 1 of each year, according to a Foreign Office statement.
According to the statement, India gave a list of 452 Pakistani or suspected Pakistani civilian inmates and fishermen in Indian jails, while Pakistan provided a list of 254 Indian or suspected Indian civilian detainees and fisherman in Pakistani jails.
In addition, Pakistan turned over a list of 38 missing Pakistani defense personnel who are thought to have been in India’s custody since the conflicts in 1965 and 1971.
Islamabad has demanded that all Pakistani detainees who have served their entire sentence in India be released immediately and returned home.
The statement further stated that a request has been made for special consular access to a number of prisoners who are thought to be from Pakistan, particularly those who are physically and intellectually challenged, in order to expeditiously confirm their national status.
The government also asked India to guarantee the safety, security, and wellbeing of all detainees who are either Pakistani or who are thought to be Pakistani while they wait to be released and returned home.
The administration is dedicated to giving humanitarian issues top attention. It will keep working to guarantee that every Pakistani prisoner in Indian jails is released as soon as possible,” the statement said.
