Islamabad (TDI): In a rare show of continuity amid growing tensions, Pakistan and India on Tuesday exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody. The exchange was carried out through diplomatic channels in line with a longstanding agreement on consular access.
Despite the recent spike in hostilities following the Pahalgam attack and the resulting military standoff, both nations adhered to the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, which mandates the exchange of prisoner lists twice annually, on January 1 and July 1.
Tuesday’s development comes against the backdrop of significant diplomatic strain. In the wake of the April conflict, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, an agreement in place since 1960, while Pakistan hinted at reconsidering its commitment to the 1972 Shimla Accord, though no formal move has been made.
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Still, both sides followed through on the prisoner exchange, a measure viewed as one of the last remaining pillars of bilateral engagement.
“Today, Pakistan and India exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement. “The exchange took place in pursuance of the Agreement on Consular Access signed in May 2008.”
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan handed over a list of 246 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian prisoners to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. This includes 53 civilian detainees and 193 fishermen.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities shared a list of 463 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. Of these, 382 are civilian prisoners, while 81 are fishermen.
The statement further said Pakistan has requested the immediate release and repatriation of those prisoners who have completed their sentences and whose national status has been verified.
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Islamabad also called for urgent consular access to all detainees believed to be Pakistani, especially those who are physically or mentally challenged, so their nationality can be confirmed without delay.
The Foreign Office urged Indian authorities to provide consular access to all remaining prisoners who are still awaiting it, and to ensure the safety and humane treatment of all Pakistani nationals held in Indian custody.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
