About 20,000 Pakistanis are in foreign jails, NA told

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly (NA) was informed on Wednesday that more than 19,997 Pakistanis are imprisoned in foreign jails.

In a written reply to a question of Shahida Rehmani, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that according to data obtained from 88 Pakistan Missions abroad, a total of 19,997 Pakistanis were imprisoned in foreign jails and 68 Pakistani nationals were currently on death row in 10 countries on charges of terrorism, murder and drug trafficking.

The written reply revealed that among them, only two are female and others are male.

According to details shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the most imprisoned Pakistani around 10, 432 are in the jails of Saudi Arabia, 5,292 Pakistanis are imprisoned in the UAE while 598 in Greece, 578 in Oman, 463 in Malaysia, 387 in Turkiye, 371 in Bahrain, 321 in the United Kingdom, 194 in China (Chengdu), 10 in Australia, 106 China (Beijing), 90 in Germany (Frankfurt), 84 in China (Guangzhou), 48 in the USA (New York), 63 in USA (Washington), 17 in USA (Los Angeles).

The major charges/allegations are illegal immigration/border crossing, overstay, murder, possession/use of narcotics & drugs, working without work permit, sexual assault and harassment, human trafficking, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, robbery/theft, embezzlement/fraud, forgery, possession of counterfeit currency, money laundering, charges of espionage, smuggling (mostly narcotics), illegal possession of firearms, cybercrime and fighting/physical assault.

While giving the details of consular assistance provided to the prisoners, the ministry stated that as soon as a Pakistani is apprehended by the law enforcing agencies, the date of arrest and charges leveled against them are communicated to the missions through official communication channels of the host government. The missions tabulate the information and a comprehensive databank of the same is maintained.

At times, Pakistanis arrested in police stations are released because of timely intervention of the missions. Similarly, missions facilitate release/repatriation of Pakistanis detained/stranded at various airports of the host state. After arrest, the case is sent to Public Prosecution Departments where the facility of translator, if required, is usually provided by the department itself. However, the mission officials regularly visit the departments and assist Pakistanis when and where requested. Pak missions regularly visit the administrative heads of Police Department/Prosecution Departments to maintain a close liaison. The issues of Pakistani prisoners are discussed in detail in various meetings.

The mission representatives regularly visit the jails and ensure the well-being of all prisoners. The prisoners interact with the officers of missions during jail visits and register their complaints regarding food, medicine, hygiene, etc., which are immediately discussed with the jail authorities.

Contact details of officials, officers and Honorary Representatives of the missions are provided to every jail. Prisoners contact the mission on regular basis. The Pak mission helps in arranging visits of families of prisoners on regular basis. A prescribed proforma is issued by the Pak missions which are honoured by the jail authorities.