On January 1, 2026, India called on Pakistan to quickly release and send back 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have finished their jail terms. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also requested immediate consular access to 35 civilian prisoners and fishermen who are believed to be Indian, currently held in Pakistan. This request comes during the regular exchange of prisoner and fisherman lists between the two countries, done twice a year on January 1 and July 1 since a 2008 pact was signed. India has shared details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, all Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. Pakistan has shared information on 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or believed to be Indian. According to the MEA, "The government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan's custody." It further urged Pakistan to prioritize the release of the 167 Indian fishermen and prisoners whose sentences are complete. India stressed the need to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen while they remain in Pakistani custody. Since 2014, India said, "2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan," including "500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated since 2023 till date."