New Delhi: India and Pakistan on the first day of the new year exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in custody as per the agreement between the two nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody. Under the provisions of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, such lists are exchanged every year on 01 January and 01 July.
India shared the names of 339 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 95 Pakistani fishermen. Pakistan shared the lists of 51 civilian prisoners and 654 fishermen. These people are either Indians or believed to be Indians, reported ANI.
The Indian government has called for an early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing defence personnel, and fishermen. "In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 631 Indian fishermen and 02 Indian civilian prisoners, 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 30 fishermen and 22 civilian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian," said the MEA.
The ministry further said that the government remains committed to addressing all humanitarian matters. India has urged Pakistan to confirm the nationality status of 71 Pakistani prisoners. Their repatriation is pending nationality confirmation from Pakistan. India also requested Islamabad to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian prisoners who are waiting to be released.
New Delhi and Pakistan also exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan.
"India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan," said the MEA.