Pakistan, India exchange list of prisoners

According to Consular agreement, the list is to be exchanged twice a year.

The governments of Pakistan and India exchanged their list of prisoners residing in their respective jails on Monday, said a press statement issued by the foreign ministry.

According to the list, a total of 491 Indian prisoners are currently held in Pakistani jails as opposed to 386 Pakistani prisoners being held in India.

The Consular Agreement that Pakistan and India signed in May 2008 dictates that the list of prisoners should be exchanged between the two countries twice a year.

In accordance with the agreement, the foreign office handed over their list to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, while the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi received India's list from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

An inquiry will now be initiated to ascertain the jail terms of the prisoners to identify their time of release.

Last year, Pakistan released 46 Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture and is currently making arrangements for the release of 11 Indian civil prisoners, said the press release.