India, Pakistan Exchange List of Prisoners as Part of 2008 Agreement
India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of civilians and fishermen in their respective custody. The lists were exchanged through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Pakistan under a provision of a 2008 agreement.
New Delhi, July 1: India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged lists of civilians and fishermen in their respective custody through diplomatic channels at New Delhi and Islamabad. The lists were exchanged as per provision of a 2008 agreement. As part of the agreement, such lists are exchanged on 1 January and 1 July, every year. Pakistan Releases Hundred Indian Fishermen; Reach Gujarat.
India handed over lists of 256 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 99 fishermen in India's custody to Pakistan, while the neighbouring country also shared lists of 209 prisoners and 52 fishermen in its custody, who are Indians or believed-to-be Indians. Pak Releases Another 100 Indian Fishermen as Goodwill Gesture.
The Ministry of External (MEA) said that India has called for an early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats. “India has also asked Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the members of the medical experts' team proposed to visit Pakistan to assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind who are lodged in different jails in that country,” the MEA added. Pakistan Arrests 34 Indian Fishermen for Violating Territorial Waters.
The ministry also asked Pakistan to arrange for an early visit of the joint judicial committee to the country and organise an early visit of a 4-member team to Karachi in connection with the release and repatriation of 22 Indian fishing boats. The MEA reiterated India’s commitment to addressing on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other's country. India also asked Pakistan to expedite its response in the case of 88 Pakistan prisoners who have completed their sentences and await repatriation for want of nationality confirmation by Pakistan.
(With inputs from PTI)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 01, 2019 08:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).