Pakistan Handovers The Lists of Missing Defence Personnel and Prisoners On Monday,

Pakistan handed over to India a list of defence personnel missing since the wars of 1965 and 1971, alongside lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen detained in each other’s custody, according to the Foreign Office.

The exchange of lists took place through diplomatic channels in both New Delhi and Islamabad. Pakistan provided a list of 38 missing defence personnel believed to be held by India since the 1965 and 1971 wars. Additionally, Pakistan handed over a list of 254 individuals, identified as Indian or believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen currently in Pakistani jails. In return, India shared a list of 452 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian jails.

This exchange is part of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, which mandates that such lists be exchanged annually on January 1 and July 1.

The Foreign Office highlighted Pakistan’s call for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences in India. A special request for consular access to several prisoners believed to be Pakistani, including those who are physically and mentally challenged, was also made, alongside a request for the swift confirmation of their national status.

Pakistan emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners awaiting release and repatriation. So far, the repatriation of 62 Pakistani prisoners in 2023 and 4 in the current year has been secured, as reported by the Foreign Office.