Islamabad, 2 January, 2024 (GNP): On the heels of the biannual exchange mandated by the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, India and Pakistan have once again exchanged lists of incarcerated nationals in a commitment to upholding consular access and facilitating the repatriation of prisoners.
On January 1, 2024, in adherence to the Consular Access Agreement, Pakistan handed over a detailed list containing information on 231 Indian prisoners, comprising 184 fishermen and 47 civilians, currently held in Pakistani jails.
Simultaneously, the Indian government reciprocated by sharing a list of 418 Pakistani prisoners, including 337 civilians and 81 fishermen, within its custody, with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.
This reciprocal action is part of the mutual understanding between India and Pakistan, which mandates the exchange of such prisoner lists biannually, specifically on January 1 and July 1.
This proactive approach aims to ensure consular access and timely information sharing, enabling the swift repatriation of incarcerated nationals.
The Consular Access Agreement highlights the commitment of both nations to grant consular access within three months to their citizens held in arrest, detention, or imprisonment in the other country.
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Moreover, it emphasizes the swift communication of sentences given to nationals convicted in the other country.
In line with the agreement, both governments have committed to promptly release and repatriate individuals within one month upon confirmation of their national status and completion of their sentences.
While acknowledging the right to assess situations involving arrest, detention, or sentencing on political or security grounds, the agreement also allows for compassionate and humanitarian considerations to facilitate early release and repatriation, in accordance with respective laws and regulations.
The issue of fishermen from both nations frequently being apprehended due to the lack of a defined maritime border in the Arabian Sea, compounded by the absence of technology-equipped boats for precise location awareness, has been recognized.
Both India and Pakistan understand the challenges faced by these fishermen and are actively working towards finding solutions that prioritize their safety and prevent inadvertent border violations.
Furthermore, there is demand to the Indian government to expedite the release and repatriation of Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen who have completed their sentences and had their national status confirmed. Both countries understand the humanitarian imperative and remain committed to facilitating the return of these individuals to their homeland.
India and Pakistan reiterate their commitment to the Consular Access Agreement and reaffirm their dedication to resolving humanitarian issues concerning incarcerated nationals. The shared objective remains to ensure consular access, timely information sharing, and the humane treatment and repatriation of prisoners, fostering goodwill and mutual understanding between the two nations.
