Pakistani Prisoner Returns Home from India

The Pakistan High Commission located in New Delhi verified on Monday that a Pakistani citizen who was detained in India has been sent back to Pakistan.

According to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Raqib Bilal, the identified Pakistani citizen, made his way back to Pakistan using the Attari-Wagah border crossing.

In a statement shared on X, the high commission stated that it will remain dedicated to ensuring the repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners held in Indian jails, in accordance with the government of Pakistan’s vision.

According to the list of prisoners given to Pakistan in July, India is holding approximately 463 Pakistani nationals or individuals believed to be Pakistani. This number includes 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen.

In accordance with the Consular Access Agreement of 2008, the two countries regularly exchange lists of prisoners held in their respective custody on January 1 and July 1 of each year.

Earlier this year in July, the Pakistani government appealed for the immediate release and repatriation of Pakistani prisoners and fishermen who had served their terms and whose national status had been verified.

Pakistan specifically asked for consular access for all individuals thought to be Pakistani prisoners in order to quickly verify their national status.

Additionally, the government requested that the neighboring country grant consular access to all Pakistani inmates who have not yet been granted it.

During the exchange, a representative from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad received a list from Pakistan that included 246 Indian nationals or individuals thought to be Indian nationals, comprising 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen.