India, Pak exchange lists of nuclear sites, prisoners

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 1

In keeping with their years-old tradition that has survived the vicissitudes in bilateral ties, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations and prisoners on the first day of the New Year.

The list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission at the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Saturday morning.

Pakistan has 628 Indian prisoners

Pak shared list of 628 Indian prisoners, including 51 civilians and 577 fishermen
India shared list of 355 Pakistani prisoners in India, including 282 civilians and 73 fishermen
The second exchange will take place on July 1

Half an hour later, the Ministry of External Affairs here handed over the list of Indian nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission.

The annual exchange of list of nuclear installations and facilities between Pakistan and India takes place under Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India, signed December 31, 1988, and ratified on January 27, 1991.

This practice has been followed consecutively since January 1, 1992. The exchange of lists of prisoners between Pakistan and India took place near simultaneously in both national capitals.

Pakistan shared with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad a list of 628 Indian prisoners, including 51 civilians and 577 fishermen. India shared the list of 355 Pakistani prisoners in India, including 282 civilians and 73 fishermen, with the High Commission for Pakistan here.

This step is consistent with Clause (i) of the Consular Access Agreement signed on May 21, 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year. The second exchange will take place on July 1.