Pakistan, India exchange lists of nuclear installations, facilities

Islamabad: Pakistan and India today exchanged the lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities.

The exchange took place pursuant to the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India. Signed on 31st December 1988, the Agreement, inter alia, provides that both countries shall inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities, falling within its definition, on the first January of each calendar year.

Accordingly, the list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Simultaneously, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs handed over the list of India’s nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

As the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India entered into force on 27th January 1991, the two countries have been exchanging the lists since the first of January 1992.

Besides, Pakistan and India have exchanged lists of prisoners in each other’s custody.

These lists were exchanged through diplomatic channels today.

The simultaneous exchange of lists took place in pursuance of the Consular Access Agreement of 2008. Under the Agreement, both countries are required to exchange the lists of prisoners in each other's custody on first January and first July every year.

The Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 266 Indian prisoners, including 49 civilians and 217 fishermen, in Pakistan to a representative of the High Commission of India in Islamabad.

Simultaneously, the Government of India shared the list of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails to an officer of Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi. According to the list, there are a total of 462 Pakistanis in Indian jails, including 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen.

Separately, the Government of India has been urged to release and repatriate all those Pakistanis, who have completed their sentence and whose national status stands confirmed. The Government of India has also been urged to ensure safety, security and well-being of all Pakistani or believed-to-be Pakistani prisoners, awaiting their release and repatriation. It is particular to mention that 52 civilian prisoners and 56 fishermen have completed their sentence in Indian prisons.

Furthermore, a request for grant of consular access to 38 missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars has been made.