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New Delhi said Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of minorities. (Actor/Getty Image)
Pakistan was requested to expedite the release and repatriation of 254 Indian fishermen and 4 Indian civilian prisoners, who had completed their sentences.
India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held by them on Saturday through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad.
These lists are exchanged each year on January 1 and July 1 under the terms of the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access
India’s list includes the names of 343 civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shown a list of 42 civilian prisoners and 266 fishermen in its custody.
The Indian government called for the early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defense personnel, fishermen and their boats.
In this context, Pakistan was requested to expedite the release and repatriation of 254 Indian fishermen and 4 Indian civilian prisoners, who had completed their sentences.
In addition, Pakistan was also requested to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilian prisoners held in Pakistan, who are believed to be Indians.
Pakistan was asked to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India.
India remains committed to addressing all humanitarian matters, as a matter of priority, including those relating to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.
In this context, India urged Pakistan to expedite the necessary procedures at its end to confirm the citizenship status of 62 believed to be Pakistani prisoners, including fishermen, awaiting repatriation due to non-confirmation of their nationality from Pakistan.
As a result of the continuous efforts of the government, 2,559 Indian fishermen and 63 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 398 Indian fishermen and 05 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan this year so far.
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