India requests that Pakistan free any Indian detainees under its control

India urged Pakistan on Saturday to hasten the release of 254 Indian fishermen and four civilian detainees who have served their sentences.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Islamabad has also been requested to provide prompt consular access to the 14 civilian detainees and 12 remaining fishermen who have been held in Pakistani custody and are thought to be Indian citizens

India made the request as part of a 2008 agreement that established a routine for both nations to exchange names of civilian detainees and fishermen on January 1 and July 1 of each calendar year.

According to the MEA, Pakistan was requested to expedite the release and return of civilian detainees, Indian military personnel who have gone missing, and fishermen and their boats.

Lists of 343 civilian detainees and 74 fishermen in India’s custody who are Pakistani or who suspect to be Pakistani have been made public.

Pakistan has also disclosed names of 266 fishermen and 42 civilian captives who are thought to be Indian, according to the MEA.

According to a statement, “the government has called for the immediate release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel, and fishermen and their boats from Pakistan’s custody.”

254 Indian fisherman and four Indian civilian detainees who have served their sentences have been urgently requested to be released and repatriated by Pakistan, according to the MEA.

The statement continued, “Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the remaining 12 fishermen and 14 civilian prisoners in Pakistan’s custody, who are believed to be Indian.”

According to the MEA, Pakistan has been asked to protect the safety, security, and welfare of all Indians, including fishermen who are suspected to be Indian civilian captives, while they are being freed and returned to India.

It said that India is still committed to dealing with all humanitarian issues, including those involving prisoners and fishermen in each other’s countries, in a priority manner.

In this regard, India has requested Pakistan to take the required steps as soon as possible to establish the nationality status of 62 convicts, including fishermen, who are thought to be Pakistanis but whose repatriation is still delayed due to a lack of nationality certification from Pakistan, the MEA said.

2,559 Indian fishermen and 63 Indian civilian captives have been returned from Pakistan since 2014 as a consequence of the government’s persistent efforts, the statement said.

This includes 5 Indian civilian captives as well as 398 Indian fishermen who were returned from Pakistan this year, according to the MEA.