ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody under the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, reaffirming a routine diplomatic obligation aimed at facilitating consular access and the repatriation of detainees.
The exchange took place through diplomatic channels in accordance with the Agreement on Consular Access, signed on May 21, 2008, which requires both countries to share updated lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on January 1 and July 1.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad provided the Indian High Commission with a list of 250 Indian nationals detained in Pakistan, comprising 52 civilian prisoners and 198 fishermen.
PR No. 159/2026
Pakistan and India Exchange Lists of Prisoners
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 1, 2026
At the same time, India shared a list of 439 Pakistani or believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners held in Indian jails. The list includes 386 civilian prisoners and 53 fishermen.
Pakistan also urged India to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has already been verified. These include 64 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen.
The Foreign Office further called on India to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all Pakistani and believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners awaiting their release and return.
In addition, Pakistan requested India to provide consular access to all prisoners believed to be Pakistani nationals whose citizenship has yet to be confirmed, saying that timely access would help expedite the verification process and facilitate their eventual repatriation.
The Foreign Office said the Government of Pakistan remains committed to pursuing the early return of all Pakistani prisoners held in India through continued diplomatic engagement and existing bilateral mechanisms.
