ISLAMABAD: Pakistan handed over a list of 546 Indian prisoners, 52 civil and 494 fishermen, in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.
This step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, respectively.
The Indian Government will also hand over the list of Pakistani prisoners to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, a Foreign Ministry Statement Said.
Pakistan will release 77 Indian fishermen and one civilian prisoner on July 10, the Foreign Ministry said.
The two sides exchange prisoners’ lists at a time when the relationship is at lowest ebb over allegations of terrorism and cross-border skirmishes.
Pakistan and India also exchange a list of their nuclear installations on January 1 under a bilateral agreement that stops them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. The agreement regarding nuclear installations was signed on December 31, 1988 and entered into force on January 27, 1991.
