India requests the immediate release and return of 254 Indian fishermen and four civilian prisoners from Pakistan

254 Indian fisherman and four civilian detainees who have served their sentences have been urgently requested to be released and repatriated by Pakistan, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India. The MEA has also emphasised the need for prompt consular access to the 14 civilian detainees and 12 remaining fishermen who are presently being held in Pakistani custody and are thought to be Indian citizens.

The request was made as part of a bilateral agreement struck in 2008 that calls for the exchange of names of fishermen and civilian inmates. According to the MEA, Pakistan gave records of 42 civilian detainees and 266 fishermen presently in its custody while India shared lists of 343 civilian prisoners and 74 fisherman currently in its custody.

The government has demanded the immediate release from Pakistani custody of all civilian captives, all missing Indian military personnel, and all fishermen and their boats, according to the MEA statement. According to media sources, they also asked Pakistan to take the required steps to determine the nationality status of 62 inmates, including fishermen, who are detained and awaiting repatriation.

India is still dedicated to providing immediate humanitarian assistance and safeguarding the wellbeing of all Indians, even those who are thought to be Indian prisoners of war and fishermen held captive by Pakistan. The MEA also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to repatriate Indian fishermen and civilian inmates from Pakistan since 2014; to far, 2,559 fishermen and 63 civilian prisoners have been successfully returned. 398 fishermen and five civilian captives have already been sent home this year.