Pak halts repatriation of Indian nationals following abrogation of Article 370

New Delhi: Pakistan has halted the release and repatriation of five Indian nationals and many fishermen who have completed their sentence and were waiting to be sent back. According to the list exchanged on July 1, Pakistan has 209 Indian fishermen and 52 Indian prisoners in its custody while India has 256 Pakistani civilian prisoners and 99 fishermen in its custody.

The nations exchange list of civilian prisoners and fishermen of each country lodged in the respective jails on January 1 and July 1 every year, according to the India-Pakistan ‘Agreement on Consular Access’ signed on May 21, 2008.

In fact, on August 5 when India announced the abrogation of Article 370, the removal of special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan had halted repatriation at Attari border of two Indians who were about to be sent back.