ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and India on Wednesday continued their decades-long practice of exchanging lists of nuclear facilities and prisoners on the first day of the new year.
The exchanges reflect a rare example of cooperation between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks on Nuclear Facilities and Facilities, signed on December 31, 1988, which entered into force on January 27, 1991, both countries have committed to annually sharing information on their nuclear facilities and installations. The lists were first exchanged on January 1, 1992.
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the list of nuclear installations and installations in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at the Ministry of External Affairs.
At the same time, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs provided its list to the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.
In addition to the nuclear lists, the two countries also exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody, according to the 2008 Consular Access Agreement.
This agreement requires sharing prisoner lists twice a year, on January 1 and July 1.
“The government of Pakistan handed over a list of 266 Indian prisoners in Pakistan (49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen) to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad,” the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said in a press release.
Simultaneously, the Indian government shared the list of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails to an official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
According to the list, there were a total of 462 Pakistanis in Indian jails (381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen).
The simultaneous exchange of lists took place in compliance with the 2008 Consular Access Agreement. Under the Agreement, both countries were to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on January 1 and July 1 of each year.
“On the other hand, the Government of India has been urged to release and repatriate all Pakistanis (52 civilian prisoners and 56 fishermen) who have served their respective sentences and whose national status is confirmed,” it added.
The spokesperson said the Indian government had also been urged to ensure the safety and well-being of all Pakistani or suspected Pakistani prisoners, pending their release and repatriation.
In addition, 38 defense personnel missing in the 1965 and 1971 wars were requested to be granted consular access, he added.
The exchanges highlight the complex current relationship between the two neighboring countries, marked by conflicts since their independence in 1947.
Despite the tensions, the practice demonstrates a commitment to uphold long-standing agreements and maintain some degree of diplomatic engagement.
