On Wednesday, Pakistan and India carried out the exchange of prisoner lists as stipulated by the 2008 Consular Access Agreement. This agreement establishes a formal process for both countries to share information regarding individuals held in custody across the border.
The exchange occurs biannually on January 1 and July 1 each year. Additionally, both nations share details about their nuclear installations annually on January 1, as part of a separate but related agreement aimed at preventing attacks on nuclear facilities.
In this latest exchange, Pakistan provided the Indian High Commission in Islamabad with a list of 250 Indian detainees, comprising 52 civilians and 198 fishermen. Concurrently, India submitted a list of 439 Pakistani or suspected Pakistani prisoners, which includes 386 civilians and 53 fishermen, currently held in Indian jails.
Pakistan has formally requested India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners—64 civilians and 33 fishermen—who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been verified. Islamabad also emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of all Pakistani and suspected Pakistani prisoners awaiting release.
Furthermore, Pakistan called on India to grant prompt consular access to all suspected Pakistani detainees to expedite the verification of their nationality. The Government of Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the early return of all Pakistani prisoners.
Earlier this year, the two countries also exchanged lists of nuclear installations under a special agreement designed to prohibit attacks on each other’s nuclear sites. On January 1, 2026, Islamabad handed over a list of 257 Indians detained in Pakistan—58 civilians and 199 fishermen—to the Indian High Commission, marking another step in ongoing bilateral communication efforts.
