India and Pakistan shared the list of prisoners, know how many citizens and fishermen are lodged in the jails of both the countries.

New Delhi/Islamabad. India and Pakistan have exchanged the latest lists of prisoners lodged in each other’s jails under bilateral agreements. This list, shared through diplomatic channels, gives details of the number of citizens and fishermen jailed in both the countries.

This process is done every year on January 1 and July 1 under the agreement between the two countries, so that information about citizens and fishermen detained in each other’s places can be shared.

How many Indians are in Pakistan’s jails?

According to the latest list, a total of 250 Indians are currently lodged in Pakistani jails. In these-

52 Indian citizens
198 Indian fishermen

Are included. These fishermen are mainly detained in cases of unintentional violation of international maritime boundaries.

How many Pakistanis are in Indian jails?

According to data shared by India, a total of 439 Pakistani nationals are lodged in Indian jails. In these-

386 civilian prisoners
53 Pakistani fishermen

Are included.

India raised demand for release

With the exchange of the list, India has appealed to Pakistan to quickly release those Indian prisoners who have completed their sentences. The Ministry of External Affairs has specifically sought the early release and repatriation of 188 Indian prisoners.

Apart from this, India has also requested Pakistan to provide immediate consular access (permission to meet diplomatic officials) to 13 such prisoners, who are considered to be Indians, but till now Indian officials have not got permission to meet them.

Pakistan also put forward its demand

On the other hand, Pakistan has also requested India for the release of 97 of its prisoners. The issue of release of prisoners and consular access has long been raised between the two countries on humanitarian grounds.

The process happens every six months

Under the Consular Access Agreement signed between India and Pakistan in 2008, both the countries exchange lists of nationals and fishermen of the other country lodged in their respective jails on January 1 and July 1 every year. The objective of this arrangement is to ensure the identity of prisoners, provide them consular assistance and facilitate the process of their release and repatriation after completion of their sentence.