ISLAMABAD: Four Pakistani prisoners have been repatriated from India through the Wagah-Attari border crossing, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said on Tuesday, adding it would continue to seek the release of other Pakistani nationals in Indian prisons.
India and Pakistan exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody on Jan. 1 and Jul. 1 each year under the Consular Access Agreement between the two countries. India’s external affairs ministry said in January that there were 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are “Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani.”
“Four Pakistani prisoners — Muhammad Irfan, Aamir Raza, Muhammad Hamza and Husnain — were repatriated to Pakistan via the Wagah-Attari border today,” the Pakistan High Commission in India said.
“@PakinIndia will continue to work toward the release and repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners in India.”
Screenshot of Pakistan High Commission India X account post
The development comes amid strained ties between India and Pakistan following their four-day military conflict in May 2025, which saw the use of fighter jets, drones, missiles and artillery fire. High-level engagement between officials of the two countries remains largely suspended as tensions persist.
Last year, India released 69 Pakistani prisoners, including 60 fishermen arrested for allegedly violating maritime boundaries between the two neighboring countries, while Pakistan also freed 22 Indian fishermen jailed in Karachi.
Pakistan and India frequently detain fishermen from each other’s countries for crossing into territorial waters, a common occurrence given that the maritime boundary in the Arabian Sea is not always clear.
Many small fishing boats lack modern navigation systems, often leading to unintentional border violations and prolonged detentions.
