Pakistan gives list of over 500 in Indian prisons

Pakistan on Friday handed over to the Indian envoy here a list of 518 prisoners, including 463 fishermen, languishing in Indian jails.

According to a Foreign Office statement, the list contained names of 55 civilians and 463 fishermen.

"This step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India signed on May 21, 2008 under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other's custody twice a year on January 1 and July 1, respectively," the Foreign Office said.

The Indian government would also hand over to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi a list of Indian nationals languishing in Pakistani prisons.

Both Indian and Pakistani fishermen are often arrested for transgressing into each other's maritime areas since the Arabian Sea border is not clearly defined and many boats lack the technology to fix their precise location.

--IANS

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