Pakistan demands India release 97 prisoners who completed sentences

Pakistan has called on India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners who have finished their sentences in Indian jails, according to a statement from Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO).

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The government of Pakistan handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners in Pakistan (52 civilians and 198 fishermen) to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

The group comprises 64 civilians and 33 fishermen. The FO detailed the exchange of prisoner lists between the two nations, a practice mandated by the Agreement on Consular Access signed in 2008. This agreement requires both India and Pakistan to share lists of prisoners in each other's custody on January 1 and July 1 annually.

Pakistan also submitted a list of 250 Indian prisoners currently in its custody, which includes 52 civilians and 198 fishermen. India, in turn, provided a list of 439 prisoners identified as Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani, consisting of 386 civilians and 53 fishermen.

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The Indian government shared a list of 439 prisoners who were Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani, including 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen.

Islamabad emphasized the need for India to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all prisoners who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan also requested "expeditious consular access" for these individuals to confirm their nationality. The FO stated that Pakistan would continue its efforts to secure the early return of all its prisoners.

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expeditious consular access

The issue of prisoners remains a significant humanitarian concern within the context of strained bilateral relations between Pakistan and India. The Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners, established in 2007 to address such matters, has been inactive since 2013 due to escalating tensions and India's suspension of comprehensive bilateral dialogue.

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The government of Pakistan will continue its efforts to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners.