NewsGate Press Network

For the past 24 years, every year on first day of January and July, India and Pakistan exchange lists of civilian prisoners in their custody.

Accordingly on Friday, the July the first, 2022, India handed over lists of 309 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 95 fishermen in India’s custody to Pakistan.

Similarly, Pakistan shared its lists of 49 civilian prisoners and 633 fishermen in their custody, who are Indians or are believed to be Indians, an official statement said.

These lists are exchanged through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.

The Indian Government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan’s custody.

In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 536 Indian fishermen and 03 Indian civilian prisoners to India who have completed their sentence and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan.

In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 105 fishermen and 20 civilian prisoners who are in Pakistan’s custody and are believed to be Indian.

India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.

In this context, India has also urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 57 Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation by Pakistan.