UAE releases nearly 400 Pakistani prisoners amid COVID-19 outbreak

Individuals were imprisoned for minor offences

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released nearly 400 prisoners, jailed for minor offences, following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

“In the backdrop of the prevailing situation following the outbreak of COVID-19, the UAE Government today released nearly 400 Pakistani prisoners in line with the understanding reached between the Governments of Pakistan and the UAE. These prisoners were serving their term in the UAE jails for minor offences,” said a press release issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

The prisoners are being repatriated to Pakistan through two special flights arranged by the UAE government.



“Two FlyDubai flights are bringing these prisoners to Faisalabad International Airport, Faisalabad and Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar,” the press release added.

The federal government thanked the Emirates for their gesture in these challenging times.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai worked in close coordination with the UAE authorities for their early repatriation to Pakistan.

PHOTO: Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi/ Facebook

In 2019, more than 2,400 Pakistani prisoners were released from jails in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The government had also extended financial and legal assistance to a total of 2,559 Pakistanis imprisoned in Middle Eastern countries for minor crimes.