The Government of Pakistan on Thursday handed over a list of 257 Indian prisoners, including 58 civilians and 199 fishermen, to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
The move follows the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008, which requires both countries to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July.
In turn, the Indian government will share the list of Pakistani prisoners in its custody with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
The biannual exchange is intended to ensure transparency, facilitate consular access, and address humanitarian concerns regarding prisoners held by the two countries.