New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan has in its custody 55 civilian prisoners and 227 fishermen, who are Indians or believed-to-be-Indians, according to a list handed over to India, which demanded their early release and repatriation along with the missing defence personnel.
Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 4 Indian civilian prisoners and 126 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan.
In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 14 believed-to-be Indian civilian prisoners and 100 Indian fishermen who are in Pakistan’s custody.
The Indian government also asked Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the members of the medical experts team and facilitate their visit to Pakistan to assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind, lodged in different jails of Pakistan; to organise early visit of the Joint Judicial Committee to Pakistan; and to organise early visit of the 4-member team to Karachi in connection with release and repatriation of 22 Indian fishing boats.
The issue came up as India and Pakistan exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody, in keeping with the provisions of the 2008 Agreement under which such lists are exchanged on 1st January and 1st July, every year.
India handed over lists of 267 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 99 fishermen to Pakistan who are in India’s custody.
An External Affairs Ministry statement said India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.
In this context, India has also urged Pakistan to expedite necessary action at its end to confirm the nationality status of 82 Pakistan prisoners, including fishermen, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation by Pakistan.
