Islamabad:
Despite simmering tensions, Pakistan and India complied with the bilateral agreement on consular access as the two nuclear armed neighbors through diplomatic channels on Tuesday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody.
As part of the agreement signed in 2008, Pakistan and India are exchanged twice a year on January 1 and July 1. Given the ongoing tensions, the latest exchange of lists was seen as significant.
Many bilateral events between Pakistan and India are threatened by the Pahagam attack that brought the two countries almost close to a disastrous war.
India, before launching strikes inside Pakistan one -sided, suspended the Treaty of Indus Waters of 1960. Pakistan meanwhile threatened to move away from the Shimla Agreement of 1972, although no final decision was made yet.
On the basis of this, however, the two countries implemented their understanding of consular access.
“Today (Tuesday), Pakistan and India exchanged through diplomatic channels lists of prisoners in each other’s detention. Exchange of lists took place in accordance with the Consular Access Agreement, 2008,” read a statement issued here by the Foreign Office.
The agreement requires both sides to share lists of prisoners in each other’s detention on January 1 and July 1 of each year. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs also issued a similar statement.
The Foreign Office, who read, said Pakistan’s government handed over a list of 246 Indian or assumed to be Indian prisoners (53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen) to a representative of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad.
At the same time, the Government of India shared a list of 463 Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani prisoners (382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen) to a diplomat from the High Commission for Pakistan, New Delhi.
It said the government in Pakistan called for immediate release and repatriation of all these Pakistani prisoners and fishermen who have completed their respective judgment and whose national status is confirmed.
“A request for special consular access to anyone who was believed to be Pakistani prisoners has also been made, including the physically and mentally challenged prisoners for rapid confirmation of their national status,” according to the statement.
The Government of India has been invited to give consular access to all the prisoners that consular access still awaits. The Indian side has also been encouraged to ensure security, security and well -being for all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody.
“Pakistan’s government remains obliged to tackle humanitarian affairs as a priority. It will continue its efforts to ensure that the early return of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian prisons,” it said.
