ISLAMABAD – India has welcomed the release of Indian national Hamid NehalAnsari from Pakistan jail.
While welcoming Hamid’s release, India said, “We would like Pakistan totake action to also end the misery of other Indian nationals and fishermenwhose nationality has been confirmed and who have completed theirsentences, but continue to languish in Pakistan jails.
“Hamid Nehal Ansari went to Pakistan via Afghanistan after befriending aPakistani girl whom he fell in love with. He went to Pakistan’s Kohat on afake passport and was arrested by security officials.
Hamid Nehal Ansari’s case highlights the case of many Indian and Pakistaninationals languishing in each other’s jails. As per India-Pakistan‘Agreement on Consular Access’ signed on 21 May 2008, Delhi and Islamabadexchange lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country lodgedin the jails of the other on 1 January and 1 July of every year.
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According to the lists exchanged on 1 July 2018, there were 108 Pakistanfishermen and 249 Pakistan civilian prisoners in India’s custody. Pakistanhas acknowledged the custody of 418 fishermen and 53 civilian prisoners whoare Indian or believed-to-be Indian in their jails.
