Pakistan and India have exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody, as part of a long-standing agreement aimed at maintaining transparency despite strained diplomatic ties.
On Monday, Pakistan submitted a list of 246 Indian prisoners — including 53 civilians and 193 fishermen — to the Indian High Commission. In return, India shared a list of 463 Pakistani detainees with Pakistan’s High Commission in Islamabad, comprising 382 civilians and 81 fishermen.
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The move was carried out under the 2008 bilateral pact which requires both countries to exchange such lists twice a year, on January 1 and July 1. While routine, the exercise holds significant humanitarian value amid rising border tensions and political differences.
Pakistan has urged India to expedite the release of prisoners who have completed their sentences and called for immediate consular access to facilitate citizenship verification of the remaining detainees.
Foreign Office officials stressed that safeguarding the lives and rights of detained Pakistani nationals is India’s legal and moral responsibility.
