India, Pak exchange lists of their prisoners

THE TWO SIDES ALSO EXCHANGED LISTS OF NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS THAT CANNOT BE ATTACKED IN THE EVENT OF HOSTILITIES

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan on Wednesday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other's custody, with New Delhi asking Islamabad to expedite the release of 183 Indian nationals who have completed their prison terms and seeking immediate consular access to 18 more prisoners.

The two sides also exchanged lists of nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in the event of hostilities, maintaining a tradition going back to 1992 despite relations between the two neighbours being at an all-time low.

The external affairs ministry said in a statement that India shared the names of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani.

Pakistan shared the names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian.