India Urges Pakistan for Swift Release of Fishermen and Civilian Prisoners

India has called upon Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their jail terms. The request comes with an appeal for immediate consular access to 18 others believed to be Indian, held in Pakistan's custody.

India has urged Pakistan to hasten the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their jail terms in Pakistan. The appeal also includes a request for immediate consular access to 18 detainees believed to be Indian nationals, held in Pakistan's custody, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This request was part of a routine exchange of lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen between the two nations, which happens biannually under a 2008 agreement. India has provided the names of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are confirmed or presumed to be Pakistani. Likewise, Pakistan has shared details of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody, identified as Indian or believed-to-be-Indian, as per the MEA's statement.

The Indian government has been proactive on humanitarian issues, including the treatment of prisoners and fishermen residing in each other's countries. With sustained efforts since 2014, India has successfully repatriated 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners from Pakistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)