India has called on Pakistan to speed up the release and return of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have finished serving their sentences. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the importance of promptly repatriating these individuals, including their boats, and missing Indian defense personnel held in Pakistan’s custody. Both countries annually exchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, with the recent exchange occurring on July 1.
India has provided Pakistan with lists of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are either Pakistani nationals or suspected to be so. In return, Pakistan shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian nationals or believed to be. The Indian government has consistently pushed for the early release and repatriation of its citizens held in Pakistan, urging immediate consular access for 13 prisoners who have not been granted such access yet.
Efforts by the Indian government have led to the repatriation of 2,661 Indian fishermen and 78 civil prisoners from Pakistan since 2014. Notably, 500 Indian fishermen and 20 civil prisoners have been brought back from Pakistan since 2023. India continues to advocate for the safety and well-being of all Indian and suspected Indian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody until their return to India.
