India Seeks Release of 188 Nationals as New Delhi and Islamabad Exchange Prisoner Lists

India on Wednesday renewed its demand for the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentences in Pakistan, while also seeking immediate consular access to 13 detainees believed to be Indian nationals. The request came as India and Pakistan exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other's custody under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access.

India, Pakistan exchange prisoner lists under bilateral agreement

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two countries exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad.

The exercise is conducted twice every year, on January 1 and July 1, in accordance with the Agreement on Consular Access signed between India and Pakistan in 2008.

Under the latest exchange, India shared the names of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani nationals or believed to be Pakistani nationals. Pakistan, meanwhile, shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian nationals or believed to be Indian.

The MEA stated, "India has shared lists of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believed-to-be-Indian."

New Delhi presses for release of prisoners and consular access

India reiterated its longstanding demand for the early release and repatriation of prisoners who have completed their sentences.

The MEA said, "Pakistan has been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners, who have completed their sentences. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 13 civil prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian and have not been provided consular access so far."

The Government of India has consistently raised issues relating to the release of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel believed to be in Pakistan's custody.

New Delhi also called upon Islamabad to ensure humane treatment and adequate protection for Indian prisoners awaiting repatriation.

According to the MEA, "Government of India has urged the Government of Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners, pending their release and repatriation to India."

Over 2,700 Indians repatriated since 2014

The MEA highlighted that sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in the repatriation of thousands of Indian nationals from Pakistan over the past decade.

Since 2014, a total of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 Indian civil prisoners have been brought back to India. The figure includes 500 fishermen and 20 civil prisoners repatriated since 2023.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the exchange of prisoner lists under the bilateral agreement. According to Islamabad, a list of 250 Indian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, comprising 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen, was handed over to the Indian High Commission.

Pakistan further stated that it had urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners — including 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen — who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been verified.

(With inputs from ANI)