India Urges Pakistan for Timely Release of Indian Fishermen and Consular Access for Prisoners

India Urges Pakistan for Timely Release of Indian Fishermen and Consular Access for Prisoners

VoM News Desk | January 1, 2024 | 11:02 PM IST | Breaking News, India, Pakistan News, World | Follow on Google News

India Urges Pakistan for Timely Release of Indian Fishermen and Consular Access for Prisoners

India Urges Pakistan for Timely Release of Indian Fishermen and Consular Access for Prisoners

India has urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen upon completion of their jail term. Additionally, India called for immediate consular access to 12 civilian prisoners believed to be Indian, stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). These requests were made as part of the exchange of civilian prisoners and fishermen lists between the two countries, a practice held on January 1 and July 1 each year under a 2008 agreement.

According to the MEA, India shared a list of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, known to be Pakistani or believed to be so. In reciprocity, Pakistan shared lists of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen under its custody, recognized as Indian or believed to be Indian.

The MEA emphasized the urgency of releasing civilian prisoners, missing Indian defense personnel, and fishermen, including their boats, from Pakistan’s custody. The request specifically highlighted the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen who have completed their sentences, alongside immediate consular access for the remaining 12 civilian prisoners held by Pakistan and believed to be Indian.

India urged Pakistan to guarantee the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen until their release and repatriation. The MEA stressed India’s commitment to addressing humanitarian matters, urging Pakistan to expedite confirming the nationality of 65 believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending due to unverified nationality from Pakistan.

As part of government efforts, 2,639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This figure includes the repatriation of 478 Indian fishermen and nine Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan in 2023 alone.

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