India calls on Pakistan to launch, repatriate 185 fishermen, three civilians

India on Friday referred to as on Pakistan to launch and repatriate 185 Indian fishermen and three civilian prisoners whose nationality has already been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistani authorities.
In addition, Pakistan has been requested to supply rapid consular entry to Indian fishermen and 22 civilian prisoners, who’re in its custody and are believed to be Indians, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned.
The requests got here through the alternate of the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen by each international locations on the primary day of each calendar 12 months as a part of a apply beneath the framework of a 2008 settlement.
In view of the pandemic, India additionally requested Pakistan to make sure the security, safety and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be Indian civil prisoners and fishermen.
In an announcement, the MEA mentioned India handed over lists of 263 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 77 fishermen in India’s custody to the neighbouring nation. Similarly, Pakistan shared lists of 49 civilian prisoners and 270 fishermen in its custody, who’re Indians or believed to be Indians, it added.

“The government has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, missing Indian defence personnel and fishermen, along with their boats, from Pakistan’s custody,” the MEA mentioned. “In this context, Pakistan was asked to expedite the release and repatriation of three Indian civilian prisoners and 185 Indian fishermen to India whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to Pakistan,” it added.
“The government also requested Pakistan to expedite the grant of visas to the members of the medical experts team and facilitate their visit to Pakistan to assess the mental condition of believed-to-be Indian prisoners of unsound mind, lodged in different jails of Pakistan,” the MEA mentioned.