Pakistan, India exchange lists of nuclear facilities

By Islamuddin Sajid and Ahmad Adil

ISLAMABAD / NEW DELHI (AA) – Pakistan and India on Monday exchanged lists of nuclear facilities, as well as civilian prisoners and fishermen in their custody, according to an official statement from both sides.

According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and India’s External Affairs Ministry, the countries exchanged, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously in the capitals Islamabad and New Delhi, the list of nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan.

“This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 01, 1992,” it said, adding that the agreement, signed on Dec. 31, 1988, informs the two sides of the nuclear installations and facilities covered under the agreement every Jan. 1.

The Indian ministry said New Delhi shared lists of 337 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, “who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani.” It added: “Pakistan has shared lists of 47 civilian prisoners and 184 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian.”

The government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defense personnel, and fishermen along with their boats, from Pakistan's custody, the statement said, adding: “Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence.”

“In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 civilian prisoners in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian. Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India,” it noted.

The Indian government said 2,639 Indian fishermen and 67 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014, which includes 478 Indian fishermen and nine Indian civilian prisoners who were repatriated from Pakistan in 2023.