India-Pakistan Exchange Prisoner Lists As Delhi Asks Release Of 188 Citizens 

New Delhi: India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civil prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody on July 1. The exchange took place through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad at the same time, under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

India shared details of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani nationals or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan, in turn, shared lists of 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen in its custody who are Indian nationals or believed to be Indian.

India demands release of 188 nationals

India asked Pakistan to speed up the release and repatriation of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have already completed their jail terms, the MEA said. The ministry also sought immediate consular access to 13 prisoners believed to be Indian, who have so far been denied this access.

New Delhi repeated its long-pending demands for the early release of prisoners, the return of seized fishing boats, and information about defence personnel who remain missing.

Pakistan’s counter demand

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it had handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners to India. Islamabad urged New Delhi to release and send back 97 Pakistani nationals, including 64 civilians and 33 fishermen, whose sentences are over and whose nationality has been confirmed.

Pakistan also asked for quick consular access to all detainees believed to be Pakistani, so their nationality can be verified sooner. The demand closely matches India’s own appeal, showing that both sides share similar humanitarian concerns even as political relations remain tense.

A routine that continues despite frozen ties

The exchange of prisoner lists happens twice a year under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access. It is one of the few bilateral arrangements between India and Pakistan that still functions despite the current freeze in relations. Lists are shared every year on January 1 and July 1. A separate list of nuclear installations is also exchanged annually between the two countries.

Fishermen make up the largest share of those held on both sides. Most are detained after accidentally crossing the maritime border near Sir Creek.

What happens next

Under the 2008 agreement, prisoners whose nationality is confirmed are supposed to be repatriated within a month of verification. If both governments follow through, some releases could begin soon.

However, cases involving security concerns or pending legal matters may take longer, since both countries retain the right to make exceptions on humanitarian grounds. Some diplomatic observers see the continued exchange of lists as a small but steady confidence-building step, one that could eventually create room for wider talks between the two neighbours.

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Shoaibur Rahman

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