Pakistan and India exchanged names of their nuclear sites, strategic facilities, and detainees in each other’s custody on Sunday, in accordance with bilateral accords.
The Foreign Office said in a statement: “The Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks on Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India was signed on December 31, 1988, and ratified on January 27, 1991.”
According to the statement, the agreement requires both nations to notify each other of their nuclear installations and facilities that fit under its definition on January 1 of each calendar year.
The list was formally handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Simultaneously, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs handed over a list of India’s nuclear sites and facilities to a Pakistan High Commission official in New Delhi.
Since January 1, 1992, the practise of swapping lists has been ongoing.
Similarly, in accordance with the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, both nations shared a list of inmates in each other’s custody. The nations exchange lists twice a year, on January 1 and July 1.
The Pakistani government handed a list of 705 Indian captives arrested in Pakistan with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, including 51 civilians and 654 fishermen.
Meanwhile, the Indian government released a list of 434 Pakistani detainees in India, which included 339 civilians and 95 fishermen.
Pakistan has also demanded the early release and repatriation of 51 civilian detainees and 94 fishermen who have served their terms and whose nationality has been established.
“Furthermore, a request for consular access to missing military personnel from the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, as well as special consular access to 56 civil inmates, has been lodged,” the Foreign Office said.