Over 18,500 Pakistani prisoners repatriated in 3 years, NA told

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) told the National Assembly on Friday that as many as 18,533 Pakistanis had been repatriated from several countries particularly those imprisoned for minor or non-criminal offences, on the basis of legal assistance or consular support provided by diplomatic missions abroad during the last three years.

The MoFA gave the written details of the repatriation of 18,533 Pakistanis from foreign countries from 2022 to 2025 in the National Assembly on a question of Shazia Marri MNA.

According to the MoFA, out of these 18,533 Pakistanis, 935 were repatriated from Tripoli (Libya), who fell in category of illegal immigrants, 37 repatriated from Algeria in the category of various offences, 530 from Athens (Greece) in the category of post-legal remedies, 20 from Manila (Philippines) in the category of mixed cases, two from Kathmandu (Nepal) in mixed cases, 570 from Baghdad (Iraq) in mixed cases, 35 from Male (Maldives) in the category of various offences, 10 from Chengdu (China) in the category of detainees, five from Beirut (Lebanon) in the category of detainees, seven from Mashhad (Iran) in mixed cases, 15 from Abuja (Nigeria) in mixed cases, 5,908 from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) serving sentences primarily for drug-related offences, immigration violence and other crimes; two from Singapore in drug-related and illegal entry cases, 110 from New York (USA) in the category of various offences, 16 from Bangkok (Thailand) in mixed cases, 56 from Colombo (Sri Lanka) in the category of detainees, 1,563 from Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) in the category of various offences, 245 from Astana (Kazakhstan) in illegal entry cases, 20 from Rome (Italy) in the category of detainees, 5,435 from Muscat (Oman) in mixed cases, six from Manchester (UK) in the category of various offences and six from Beijing (China) in the category of detainees.

The MoFA further stated that Saudi Arabia released 8,559 Pakistani prisoners over the five years, Maldives released 48 Pakistanis (2018-2024), Qatar released 69 prisoners through Amiri Pardons (23 in December 2023 and 46 during Ramadan 2024), and 46 cases were resolved with Iran (14 repatriated in 2020, 32 granted amnesty, and negotiations are under way for 60 additional cases). Qatar distributed 50 riyals each to 200 prisoners, it added.

The MoFA said its missions abroad remain deeply committed to protecting and assisting Pakistani nationals abroad, particularly those who find themselves in vulnerable situations within foreign judicial systems.

In this regard, the diplomatic missions provide extensive support services that encompass legal assistance, medical care, and financial aid to ensure that no Pakistani citizen faces these challenges alone, it added.

The MoFA emphasised that all repatriation efforts were contingent upon the voluntary consent of imprisoned individuals, as Pakistani missions operate within established legal frameworks and can only assist those who were willing to seek repatriation services.