India has called on Pakistan to speed up the release of 188 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have finished their sentences. The request came as the two countries exchanged lists of detainees on July 1.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the lists were shared through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad. India provided details of 386 civil prisoners and 53 fishermen believed to be Pakistani nationals. Pakistan in turn listed 52 civil prisoners and 198 fishermen believed to be Indian nationals.
India also asked Pakistan to grant consular access to 13 civil prisoners and to ensure the safety of all Indians in its custody. Since 2014, India noted, 2,661 fishermen and 78 civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan.
Separately, India condemned the demolition of the 125-year-old Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Farooqabad, Pakistan, calling the act deeply distressing and urging an investigation.
