518 Indians in Pak jails

Islamabad/New Delhi, July 1

India and Pakistan today exchanged the list of each other’s nationals lodged in their jails with the latest figures showing that a total of 518 Indian prisoners, including 463 fishermen, are languishing in Pakistani prisons.

“India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the lists of nationals (including civil prisoners and fishermen) of each country lodged in the jails of the other country consistent with the provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The Pakistan government handed over a list of 518 Indian prisoners, including 463 fishermen and 55 others, lodged in various Pakistan’s jails to the High Commission of India in Islamabad, the Pakistan Foreign Office said.

India and Pakistan are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on January 1 and July 1 every year in accordance with provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access signed by the two countries on May 21, 2008.

India today said it “remains committed to addressing, on priority with Pakistan, humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.”

“In this context, we await confirmation of nationality of those from Pakistan who are otherwise eligible for release and repatriation and consular access to those Indian nationals in Pakistan’s custody for whom it has so far not been provided,” it said. — PTI