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India urges Pakistan to expedite release of Indian prisoners

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India urges Pakistan to expedite release of Indian prisoners
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1 Jan 2025 7:44 PM IST

India has called on Pakistan to swiftly release and repatriate 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences. In a formal request, New Delhi emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian detainees in Pakistan.

On Wednesday, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other's custody. This exchange is a biannual practice, occurring on January 1 and July 1 each year, as per a 2008 agreement between the two nations. India provided the names of 381 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody. Conversely, Pakistan shared the names of 49 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India requested immediate consular access for the 18 Indian prisoners in Pakistan's custody who have not yet received such access. Additionally, India urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process for 76 detainees believed to be Pakistani, currently held in India, to facilitate their repatriation.

Since 2014, sustained diplomatic efforts have resulted in the repatriation of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners from Pakistan. This includes the return of 478 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners since 2023.

India's appeal underscores its commitment to addressing humanitarian issues, prioritizing the welfare and repatriation of prisoners and fishermen held by both countries.

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