India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody. This biannual exercise is conducted under the provisions of the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, which mandates such exchanges on January 1 and July 1 every year.
India has shared the names of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani nationals. In return, Pakistan has shared the names of 45 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed to be Indian nationals.
The Government of India has called for the early release and repatriation of Indian civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing defence personnel from Pakistani custody. Pakistan has been specifically urged to expedite the release of 159 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. Additionally, India has asked Pakistan to provide immediate consular access to 26 civilian prisoners and fishermen who are believed to be Indian nationals but have not been granted access so far.
India has also called on Pakistan to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen in its custody, pending their release and repatriation.
India reiterated its commitment to addressing all humanitarian issues, including those involving prisoners and fishermen in each other’s countries, on a priority basis. In this context, India has also requested Pakistan to complete nationality verification of 80 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen currently in Indian custody, whose repatriation is delayed due to lack of confirmation.
Since 2014, sustained diplomatic efforts by the Indian government have led to the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan. This includes 500 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners repatriated since 2023.
