By Khawaja Hamza

Twenty-five Pakistani citizens imprisoned in India have been released and repatriated to Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border crossing, sources said on Saturday.

Indian authorities brought the released prisoners to the border crossing, where they were formally handed over to Pakistani officials. Following the handover, the necessary administrative and documentation procedures were completed before the prisoners returned to Pakistan.

The repatriation is part of the ongoing bilateral process between Pakistan and India concerning prisoners held in each other’s custody. The process is facilitated through diplomatic coordination, including efforts by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Under the 2008 Agreement on Consular Access, Pakistan and India are required to exchange updated lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on January 1 and July 1. The mechanism is aimed at facilitating consular access and helping secure the release and repatriation of eligible prisoners.

Despite strained relations between the two countries, prisoner-related humanitarian matters have continued to be addressed intermittently through established diplomatic channels.