NEW DELHI: India has urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their jail terms. The request was made in light of the exchange of lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen by both countries under a 2008 pact, which takes place every January 1 and July 1, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
As part of the exchange, India shared the names of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are either Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. In return, Pakistan provided details of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian, the MEA stated.
"The government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody," the ministry said. It further added, "Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence."
The MEA highlighted India's demand for immediate consular access to 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian but have not yet been granted access. "In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far," it stated.
New Delhi also requested that Islamabad ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen until their release and repatriation to India. The MEA emphasized India's commitment to prioritizing humanitarian matters, including those related to prisoners and fishermen held in each other's countries.
"In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 76 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India's custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan," the statement said.
The MEA noted that, through sustained government efforts, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. "This includes 478 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date," it added.
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