Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said a new consular agreement with Pakistan is being finalised to replace the existing protocol to ensure expeditious release of prisoners in each other's country.
He told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that a judicial committee, comprising superior judges from both the countries, had been constituted to address such issues.
Replying to a question in the Upper House of Parliament, Pranab Mukherjee said the existing arrangement between India and Pakistan on grant of consular access and the release of each other's nationals in custody was governed by the provisions of the protocol on consular access of November 2, 1982.
He said the Indian government was concerned that 372 fishermen and an estimated 199 prisoners were in jails in Pakistan, many of whom have not been granted consular access despite prolonged periods in custody.
Referring to delay in release of Pakistani prisoners lodged in Indian jails for minor offences, the Minister alleged that travel documents were not provided to them in time by the government of Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Pakistan High Commission here has asked Indian government to provide details about over 500 Pakistani prisoners, languishing in Indian jails.
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