Pakistan and India on Monday exchanged the respective lists of prisoners detained in the jails of the two countries, indicating that 355 Pakistanis are kept in Indian jails and 261 Indian prisoners are languishing in Pakistani jails.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the government of Pakistan handed over a list of 261 Indian prisoners including 52 civilians and 209 fishermen to the High Commission of India in Islamabad.
This step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on May 21, 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other's custody twice a year, on 1st January and 1st July, respectively, the statement said.
Separately, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement which said India handed over a list of 256 Pakistan civilian prisoners and 99 fishermen in India's custody (355 in total), to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul that took place on Monday morning and reportedly resulted in several casualties. "Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We offer our sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families. Such attacks are detrimental to the cause of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan," the MOFA said in a statement.