India and Pakistan on Saturday exchanged list of prisoners in their custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that under the provisions of Agreement on Consular Access signed in 2008, India and Pakistan exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody. "India has shared lists of 343 civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani. "Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 42 civilian prisoners and 266 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian," the statement said. New Delhi also appealed for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence officials, and fishermen along with their boats.
"Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 254 Indian fishermen and four Indian civilian prisoners, who have completed their sentence," the Indian ministry said. New Delhi also urged Islamabad to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilian prisoners in its custody and ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian prisoners and fishermen pending release and repatriation to India.
India also stated that it is committed to address all humanitarian matters including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country on priority basis.
The statement also said that India asked Pakistan to expedite necessary action to confirm the nationality of 62 prisoners believed to be Pakistanis as their repatriation is pending due to the lack nationality confirmation from Pakistan. India and Pakistan exchange list of prisoners on first of January and July as per the provisions of Agreement on Consular Access signed in 2008.
Source: Kuwait News Agency