Prince Mohammad orders release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners in KSA

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says cases of the remaining prisoners will also be reviewed by the kingdom

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has ordered the immediate release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners languishing in different Saudi prisons, announced Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

As a sequel to Prime Minister of Pakistan request, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of KSA Mohammad Bin Salman has ordered the immediate release of 2107 Pakistani prisoners Saudi Jails. #CrownPrinceinPakisatan #KSAPakistanNewEra

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 18, 2019

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while giving more details said, “Cases of the remaining [Pakistani prisoners] will be reviewed. People of Pakistan thank His Royal Highness Prince Salman for responding immediately to Prime Minister Imran Khan's request.”

HRH Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman has graciously agreed to free 2107 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia with immediate effect. Cases of the remaining will be reviewed. People of Pakistan thank HRH for responding immediately to Prime Minister Imran Khan's request.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) February 18, 2019

Prince Salman, who is in Pakistan on a two-day historic visit, arrived at Nur Khan Airbase in Islamabad on Sunday evening. He was warmly received by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and other government officials.



Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Khan also took the Twitter and said, “Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman won the hearts of the people of Pakistan when he said ‘consider me Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia’ in response to me asking him to treat the 2.5 million Pakistani's working in KSA as his own”.

The prime minister on Sunday had described the crown prince’s visit as an auspicious moment for Pakistan, adding Saudi Arabia had always been a friendly nation and the Saudi leadership commanded high respect in the hearts of the people of Pakistan.

“Saudi investment in Pakistan benefits both the countries,” said the premier at the dinner last night recalling that Saudi Arabia is home to 2.5 million Pakistanis who work as labourers in the kingdom to make their livelihood.



The premier had also requested the Kingdom to take special care of Pakistani residents in Saudi Arabia, calling them an important source of foreign exchange while the country had its highest regard for them as citizens.

Responding to his request, the crown prince said he would not decline the request at all and special care would be taken of the Pakistanis working in his country.