Pakistani National Repatriated from India via Wagah Border
September 29, 2025
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi confirmed on Monday that Raqib Bilal, a Pakistani citizen imprisoned in India, has been repatriated through the Attari-Wagah border crossing.
In a statement shared on X, the high commission reiterated its commitment to supporting Pakistani nationals imprisoned abroad. “Consistent with the vision of the government, the high commission will continue efforts to ensure the repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails,” it said.
Foreign Office confirms development
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan also confirmed Bilal’s return, telling Dawn.com that the release had taken place earlier in the day.
Background on prisoner lists
In July, Pakistan and India exchanged updated lists of prisoners detained in each other’s countries, a practice carried out under a longstanding agreement.
According to the FO, Pakistan shared a list of 246 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian prisoners (including 53 civilian detainees and 193 fishermen). In return, India provided details of 463 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners (382 civilian detainees and 81 fishermen).
Pakistanis jailed abroad
The FO also informed the National Assembly earlier this year that 23,456 Pakistanis are currently imprisoned worldwide, with the largest number — 12,156 inmates — in Saudi Arabia.
