India Asks Pakistan To Release 254 Fishermen, Other Civilian Prisoners In Its Custody

India asked Pakistan to exchange civilian prisoners' lists by both countries as part of a practice to go ahead with the move on January 1 and July 1 every calendar year under a 2008 pact framework.

India on Saturday asked Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 254 Indian fishermen and four civilian prisoners, who have completed their jail term, reported news agency PTI. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the government also asked Islamabad to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilian prisoners, who have been in Pakistan's custody. The ministry said they are believed to be Indian. This comes after Pakistan released 200 Indian fishermen, who had crossed into Pakistan through territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, earlier in June. Officials from the Pakistani side handed over the fishermen to BSF at the checkpost along the Attari-Wagah border last month.

Earlier, the Indian government had asked Pakistan to exchange the list of civilian prisoners and fishermen. The exchange of civilian prisoners is part of a practice that's carried out on January 1 and July 1 every year under the framework of a 2008 pact. The MEA said it had asked Pakistan for early release and repatriation of the civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, reported PTI. The MEA further said it urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of a total of 254 Indian fishermen as well as four civilian prisoners. This ministry said this were only the ones who had completed their prison sentence.

India also shared another list of 343 civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen, believed to be Pakistani, in its custody. In response, officials from Islamabad also shared a list of 42 civilian prisoners and 266 fishermen, believed to be Indians, who were in its custody. The ministry further said that they asked Pakistan to give immediate consular access to the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are considered to be Indians.

The MEA also said India has requested Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indians, and all civilian prisoners and fishermen, who are believed to be Indian. The Ministry also asked for the safety of all Indian prisoners who are waiting for their release and repatriation to India.

India took the initiative because the country continues to remain committed to resolving all humanitarian matters, including those related to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country. 

The MEA also said India has asked Pakistan to expedite necessary action from their side to confirm the nationality of around 62 people who continue to languish in Pakistani prisons. The list includes fishermen, who are waiting for their repatriation as their nationality is yet to be confirmed by Pakistan.

After 2014, the government of India made sustained and concerted attempts in this direction, which led to the repatriation of 2,559 Indian fishermen and 63 other Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan. This year alone, around 398 Indian fishermen and five other civilian prisoners were repatriated from Pakistan, according to the MEA.