ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Tuesday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody.

The government of Pakistan handed over a list of 246 Indian or believed-to-be Indian prisoners (53 civilians and 193 fishermen) to a representative of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad.

Simultaneously, the government of India shared a list of 463 Pakistani or believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners (382 civilians and 81 fishermen) to a diplomat from the High Commission for Pakistan, New Delhi.

The exchange of lists through diplomatic channels took place in pursuance of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008.

The agreement requires both countries to share the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on 1st January and 1st July, every year.

Under the agreement, both governments are required to provide consular access. This has to be provided within three months to the citizens of one country — under arrest, detention, or imprisonment — in the other.

Each government undertook to expeditiously inform the other of the sentences awarded to the convicted nationals of the other country.

Both governments agreed to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentences. In case of arrest, detention or sentence made on political or security grounds, each side might examine the matter on its merits.

It was also agreed that in special cases, which called for or required compassionate and humanitarian considerations, each side might exercise its discretion subject to its laws and regulations to allow the early release and repatriation of the prisoners. While the number of Indian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody has dropped to 246 from 266 in January, the number of Pakistanis languishing in Indian jails has reached 463.

Pakistan has called for immediate release and repatriation of all those Pakistani prisoners and fishermen, who have completed their respective sentences and whose national status stands confirmed.

A request for special consular access has also been made for all believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners for expeditious confirmation of their national status.

India has been urged to provide consular access to all those prisoners to whom consular access is still awaited.

The Indian side has also been urged to ensure safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody.

“The Government of Pakistan remains committed to addressing humanitarian matters as a priority. It will continue its endeavours to ensure early return of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.

Fishermen of the two neighbouring countries are often arrested as they inadvertently enter the other country’s territories in the absence of clear demarcation of the maritime border in the Arabian Sea. Apart from that, the fishermen do not have boats equipped with the technology to know their precise location.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025