ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): As many as 21,647 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned in various jails around the world.
This was revealed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in a written reply submitted to the National Assembly.
The Pakistani prisoners include convicted individuals, while a large number are those Pakistanis whose cases are pending in courts.
According to the Foreign Minister, the highest number of Pakistanis, 10,745, are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, some of whom are convicted, while a large number are facing pending cases.
As many as 5,297 Pakistanis are held in various jails in the United Arab Emirates, but details regarding the nature of crimes committed by Pakistani citizens there are not available.
According to the reply, 738 Pakistanis are imprisoned in Indian jails, but Indian authorities are not providing detailed information about them.
Pakistanis held in China
Currently, 652 Pakistanis are held in China, most of whom were arrested in cases of drug smuggling and counterfeit currency.
Similarly, 599 Pakistanis are imprisoned in Qatar, 578 in Oman, 444 in Malaysia, and 353 in Italy for various crimes.
In Bahrain 218, in Turkey 190, and in the United States, 141 Pakistani citizens are serving sentences for various types of cases. More than 90 Pakistanis were also found imprisoned in Afghanistan’s jails.
The minister said that among the Pakistanis imprisoned worldwide, 13,078 have pending cases, while 8,569 Pakistanis have been convicted.
The Foreign Minister stated that steps are being taken to ensure consular access and legal assistance for Pakistanis arrested abroad.
