ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged lists of their respective nuclear installations, continuing an annual confidence-building practice established under a bilateral agreement signed in 1988, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the exchange took place in line with the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities, signed on Dec. 31, 1988. The agreement came into force on Jan. 27, 1991, and has required both countries to share information on their nuclear facilities on Jan. 1 each year since 1992.
Speaking at the Foreign Office’s weekly briefing, Andrabi said Pakistan formally handed over its list of nuclear installations to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. India, he added, was simultaneously sharing its list with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.
The agreement obliges both countries to inform each other annually of nuclear installations and facilities in their respective territories.
Prisoner lists also exchanged
Andrabi said Pakistan and India also exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody, as required under the Agreement on Consular Access. The agreement mandates that such lists be shared twice a year, on Jan. 1 and July 1.
According to a Foreign Office statement, Pakistan provided India with a list of 257 Indian prisoners currently held in Pakistan, including 58 civilians and 199 fishermen. India, Andrabi said, was likewise sharing a list of Pakistani prisoners in its custody with Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi.
Indus Waters Treaty concerns raised
Separately, Andrabi addressed India’s recent approval of the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
He said Pakistan has serious concerns about the project, noting that no prior information or notification had been shared with Islamabad, as required under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, the treaty allocates the eastern rivers — Ravi, Sutlej and Beas — to India, and the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — to Pakistan, while allowing India limited use of western river waters for purposes such as hydropower generation, subject to strict conditions.
“Such acts of commission and omission yet again exemplify a disregard of international law and bilateral treaties,” Andrabi said, adding that Pakistan’s Indus Waters commissioner has sought clarification from India on the project’s scope, technical details and compliance with treaty provisions.
Pakistan, he said, has called on India to “urgently return to treaty compliance” and respond to the outstanding queries, stressing that Islamabad remains committed to peaceful dispute resolution but “will never compromise on our existential water rights.”
Position on China, regional issues
Responding to a question on recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Andrabi said Pakistan continues to support China on issues it considers core interests.
Pakistan, he said, adheres to the “One-China” policy and regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of China, urging all countries to avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the region.
Return of stranded Pakistanis from Afghanistan
Andrabi also provided an update on Pakistani nationals stranded in Afghanistan due to border closures, saying 15 students and 291 other individuals have safely returned to Pakistan.
He said a total of 1,199 Pakistanis — including 549 students — had sought assistance from Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul, and that Islamabad remains in contact with Afghan authorities to facilitate further returns.