SC moved for repatriation of Pakistanis jailed abroad

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) was requested Friday to issue directives for evolving an effective strategy for provision of legal support to the Pakistanis, imprisoned in various jails abroad and they should be repatriated under the treaties exists between Pakistan and various countries for exchange of prisoners.
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court by brother of one Dildar Hussain who is imprisoned in Thailand jail.
The petitioner submitted that his brother has completed one-third of his punishment in the Thai jail and requested that his brother should be repatriated under the treaty that exists for exchange of prisoners between Pakistan and Thailand. It was contended that like Dildaar Husain, many Pakistanis, imprisoned in various countries are looking for legal support from Pakistan for their safe repatriation to the country. The petitioner informed the court that over 7000 Pakistanis have been languishing in jails of various countries while the government was not extending any legal help to these Pakistanis for their repatriation.
The court was further informed that the relatives and the legal heirs of these imprisoned Pakistanis have approached repeatedly to the Foreign office and respective embassies however, they have been denied help and legal support so far. The petitioner further contended that it was the responsibility of the Pakistani government to provide and extend legal support to these Pakistanis, imprisoned in foreign jails, adding that the Pakistani inmates were not aware of the laws and legal procedure of the respective countries. He prayed the apex court to issue directives to the government to ensure evolving of an effective strategy for extending legal help to the Pakistanis imprisoned in foreign jails and for their repatriation as well under the treaties exists between Pakistan and countries for exchange of prisoners.