UPDATES WITH MORE FROM PAKISTANI STATEMENT
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 official statements released by the two sides.
The two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbors exchanged the lists through diplomatic channels simultaneously in their capitals Islamabad and New Delhi, said separate statements released by the Pakistani and Indian Foreign Ministries.
The list of nuclear installations and facilities is covered under a bilateral agreement signed on Dec. 31, 1988, which informs the two sides of the nuclear installations and facilities covered under the deal on first day of every new year.
Islamabad urged New Delhi to release and repatriate all its citizens and fishermen held as prisoners in India, “who have completed their respective sentences and whose national status stands confirmed,” the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said.
It is 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, with the first one having taken place on Jan. 1, 1992.
“A request for grant of consular access to missing defense personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars, and special consular access to 77 civil prisoners has also been made,” said the Pakistan Foreign Ministry.
In its statement, New Delhi called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defense personnel, and fishermen along with their boats from Pakistan’s custody.
“Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 184 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence,” said Indian Foreign Ministry.
It added: “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.”
It 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.