India, Pakistan exchange list of prisoners

Consistent with the provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access between both nations,India and Pakistan on Friday simultaneously exchanged at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of nationals including civil prisoners and fishermen, lodged in the jails of the other country.

Pakistan High Commission handed over to MEA a list of 505 Pakistani prisoners who are in Indian jails, of which 133 are fishermen and 372 are civil prisoners.

On the other hand, a total of 518 Indian prisoners, including 463 fishermen, are currently in Pakistan's jails, according to latest official figures.

The agreement, which was signed on 21 May 2008, provides that a comprehensive list of nationals of each country lodged in other country's jails has to be exchanged twice each year, on January 1 and July 1.

India has stated that it remains committed to addressing, on priority with Pakistan, humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country.

"In this context, we await confirmation of nationality of those from Pakistan who are otherwise eligible for release and repatriation and consular access to those Indian nationals in Pakistan's custody for whom it has so far not been provided," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.