Over 300 Pakistani prisoners in Malaysia to return home before Eid

Credit goes to PM Imran who had directed quick action for repatriation of 315 detainees, says Zulfi Bukhari

ISLAMABAD: As many as 315 Pakistanis languishing in Malaysian detainee camps despite completing their jail terms will return home on May 29 after provision of financial and legal assistance from the government of Pakistan.

"The government will bear all the expenses to be incurred on their repatriation," Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Bukhari said on Thursday.

"Thanks a lot to the Almighty, 315 Pakistani prisoners, who could not afford to buy air tickets, will be celebrating Eidul Fitr with their families in Pakistan," he added.

"The credit goes to Prime Minister Imran Khan who had ordered a quick action in this regard," said Bukhari, adding that the premier directed the Baitul Mal and Foreign Office to release Rs40 million and Rs10 million respectively for bringing the stranded Pakistanis back.



Officials of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and the community welfare attache in Malaysia were in constant contact with the authorities concerned there to fast track the process of their return, the special assistant said.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment Director General Kashif Noor said that they had informed the Malaysian authorities regarding completion of formalities to repatriate the 315 Pakistanis to the country on May 29.

The prisoners would be airlifted through a Boeing 777 of the  Pakistan International Airlines and the OPF had signed an agreement with the airline in this regard, he added.

Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar had also written a letter to his Malaysian counterpart seeking legal relief for Pakistani expatriates imprisoned in jails there.