ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee was informed that more than 10,000 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, with another 5,297 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The alarming figures available with ChitralToday were shared during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada.
Country-wise breakdown
According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, Pakistani nationals are jailed in several countries, including:
Saudi Arabia: 10,432
United Arab Emirates (UAE): 5,297
India: 738
Greece: 598
Oman: 578
Malaysia: 463
Qatar: 422
China: 417.
In July 2023, a standing committee of the National Assembly was informed that about 12,000 Pakistanis were imprisoned in foreign countries. As many as 3,100 nationals were imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 3,100 in Saudi Arabia including 1,612 in Abu Dhabi, 1,488 in Dubai, 1,503 in Jeddah and 1,596 in Riyadh at that time.
Today, Senator Khanzada criticized officials for failing to provide detailed information on the nature of these prisoners’ offenses and the assistance available to them. The committee urged the ministry to compile detailed profiles of overseas Pakistani prisoners to assess their legal and welfare needs.
Lack of welfare services for Pakistani prisoners
Lawmakers questioned the effectiveness of Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) stationed at Pakistani embassies abroad, especially regarding their interaction with prisoners. Senator Kazim Ali Shah highlighted the absence of welfare services for prisoners from Sindh, calling it a serious oversight.
The committee recommended allowing CWAs to recruit local Pakistani diaspora volunteers to expand outreach and provide support to those in foreign jails.
Repatriation agreements and legal support
Officials informed the committee that prisoner repatriation agreements have been finalized with 11 countries, and discussions are ongoing with 15 more to facilitate the return of convicted individuals to Pakistan.