Pakistan calls for release, repatriation of 97 prisoners who have completed sentences in Indian jails

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India urged Pakistan on Tuesday to release and repatriate 97 Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).

These prisoners include 64 civilians and 33 fishermen, the FO said, as it detailed the exchange of prisoner lists between India and Pakistan — a biannual practice that takes place in pursuance of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008.

The agreement requires both sides to share the lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on January 1 and July 1 every year.

The FO said the “government of Pakistan handed over a list of 250 Indian prisoners in Pakistan (52 civilians and 198 fishermen) to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad”.