Pakistan hands over to India list of 38 missing defence personnel from 1965, 1971 wars
- In Reports
- 10:54 AM, Jul 02, 2024
- Myind Staff
On Monday, Pakistan handed over to India a list of defence personnel who went missing in the 1965 and 1971 wars while also exchanging lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other's custody, according to the Foreign Office.
India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other's custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, it said.
“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 has handed over a list of 254 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani jails, while India has shared a list of 452 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indian jails, it said.
Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008, such lists are exchanged every year on 1 January and 1 July.
The Foreign Office said the government has called for the immediate release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences in India.
“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.
Pakistan also urged India to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani or believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners who are awaiting their release and repatriation.
As part of the government's efforts, the Foreign Office said that the repatriation of 62 Pakistani prisoners in 2023, and 4 in the current year, has so far been secured.
Image source: Times of India
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