Islamabad and new Delhi on Thursday exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody as well as details of their nuclear installations, continuing the annual practice under the agreements signed between the two countries.
Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said, briefing journalists at the Foreign Office, that Pakistan handed over to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad a list of 257 Indian prisoners, including 58 civilian detainees and 199 fishermen.
The exchange was carried out under the May 21, 2008, Consular Access Agreement.
He said the Indian government simultaneously provided the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi with a corresponding list of Pakistani prisoners.
Andrabi stated the two countries also exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, a practice observed annually by both sides.
Commenting on regional issues, the spokesperson stressed that Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should not be linked to the situation in Yemen, adding that Islamabad was playing its role in promoting peace and stability there.
He said multiple international diplomatic contacts remained active during the four-day Pakistan-India standoff and expressed confidence in the accuracy of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s remarks on mediation.
On Afghanistan, Andrabi said Pakistan was still awaiting assurances that Afghan soil would not be used against it, adding that Islamabad was only asking Kabul to fulfil its obligations under international law.
He said recent statements by Afghan leaders and a fatwa issued by Afghan religious scholars were positive.
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