Pakistan and India exchange lists of prisoners

• Pakistan shares details of 250 prisoners.
• Lists exchanged through diplomatic missions.
• Exercise held under 2008 bilateral agreement.
  

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody under the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, the Foreign Office said.

The exchange of prisoners’ lists is conducted in accordance with the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, which provides a mechanism for both countries to share information on prisoners in each other’s custody.

Both nations exchange the lists of prisoners on the first of January and July each year, while they share details of nuclear installations and facilities on the first day of each calendar year.

According to the FO, Pakistan handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners in Pakistan, including 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen, to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Simultaneously, India provided a list of 439 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen, who are in Indian jails.

Islamabad also urged New Delhi to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners — 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen — who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed.

India was also urged to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani and believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners awaiting release and repatriation.

Pakistan also called for expeditious consular access to all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners to facilitate the early confirmation of their nationality.

“The Government of Pakistan will continue its efforts to ensure the early return of all Pakistani prisoners,” the FO added.

Earlier this year, Pakistan and India had also exchanged the lists of their nuclear installations under the special agreement prohibiting them from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities.

On January 1, 2026, Islamabad handed over a list of 257 Indians — 58 civilians and 199 fishermen — imprisoned in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in the capital.