Pakistan provided India with a list of defense personnel who went missing during the 1965 and 1971 wars while exchanging lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody, according to Pakistan’s foreign office. The exchange of lists took place simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.
“A list of 38 missing Pakistani defence personnel, believed to be in India’s custody since the wars of 1965 and 1971, was also handed over by Pakistan,” the foreign office said in a statement.
Pakistan also provided a list of 254 Indians or believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani jails, while India shared a list of 452 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian jails.
The bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008 mandates the exchange of such lists every year on January 1 and July 1. The Foreign Office called for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences in India.
Pakistan requested special consular access to various believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including those who are physically and mentally challenged, and for expeditious confirmation of their national status.
“A request for special consular access to various believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners, has been made and for expeditious confirmation of their national status,” it said.
The foreign office noted that as part of the government’s efforts, the repatriation of 62 Pakistani prisoners in 2023 and 4 in the current year has been secured so far.
The two countries also conducted an exchange of lists containing information about civilian prisoners and fishermen held in custody by each country. The ministry of external affairs announced that this exchange was carried out in accordance with the 2008 Agreement.
India provided Pakistan with a list comprising 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen currently in Indian custody. In return, Pakistan shared with India a list of “names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian,” as stated by the MEA.
India pursuing release of 83 missing personnel including PoWs of 1965, 71 wars
In 2022, Indian government had informed the Supreme Court that 83 defence personnel, including 62 prisoners of war from the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, are missing and India is seeking their release from Pakistan. This was revealed in an affidavit filed by the ministry of external affairs.
According to the list, among the 83 defence personnel who are unaccounted for, there are four Prisoners of War from the 1965 conflict. The majority of the missing individuals are from the war that took place in 1971. Additionally, between the years 1996 and 2010, a total of 21 Defence personnel have been reported as missing.
“A list of 38 missing Pakistani defence personnel, believed to be in India’s custody since the wars of 1965 and 1971, was also handed over by Pakistan,” the foreign office said in a statement.
Pakistan also provided a list of 254 Indians or believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani jails, while India shared a list of 452 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian jails.
The bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008 mandates the exchange of such lists every year on January 1 and July 1. The Foreign Office called for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences in India.
Pakistan requested special consular access to various believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including those who are physically and mentally challenged, and for expeditious confirmation of their national status.
“A request for special consular access to various believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners, has been made and for expeditious confirmation of their national status,” it said.
The foreign office noted that as part of the government’s efforts, the repatriation of 62 Pakistani prisoners in 2023 and 4 in the current year has been secured so far.
The two countries also conducted an exchange of lists containing information about civilian prisoners and fishermen held in custody by each country. The ministry of external affairs announced that this exchange was carried out in accordance with the 2008 Agreement.
India provided Pakistan with a list comprising 366 civilian prisoners and 86 fishermen currently in Indian custody. In return, Pakistan shared with India a list of “names of 43 civilian prisoners and 211 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian,” as stated by the MEA.
India pursuing release of 83 missing personnel including PoWs of 1965, 71 wars
In 2022, Indian government had informed the Supreme Court that 83 defence personnel, including 62 prisoners of war from the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, are missing and India is seeking their release from Pakistan. This was revealed in an affidavit filed by the ministry of external affairs.
According to the list, among the 83 defence personnel who are unaccounted for, there are four Prisoners of War from the 1965 conflict. The majority of the missing individuals are from the war that took place in 1971. Additionally, between the years 1996 and 2010, a total of 21 Defence personnel have been reported as missing.
