PIA offers to bring back Pakistani prisoners from Saudi Arabia

After Saudi crown prince's announcement, over 2,000 inmates will be released from KSA prisons soon

Days after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman responded to Prime Minister Imran Khan's request and ordered the release of over 2,000 Pakistani prisoners languishing in different Saudi prisons, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has offered to bring the inmates back to the country.

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

“The national flag carrier is ready to bring back the Pakistanis imprisoned in Saudi Arabia upon their release,” PIA spokesperson Mashhood Tajwar said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening.

PIA's President and CEO Arshad Malik also congratulated the prime minister and Saudi crown prince for making the release of prisoners possible.

Meanwhile, according to the communique, a meeting at the airline's head office in Karachi was held on the readiness of fleet and other arrangements whenever required in this regard.



"We have instructed our offices in Saudi Arabia to coordinate with Pakistan Embassy and consulates and are waiting for the government’s plan and strategy and will make flight planning even at short notice," Tajwar said.

The premier had requested Prince Mohammad, who was on a two-day visit to the Islamic republic, to take special care of Pakistani residents in KSA.