Govt to repatriate foreign prisoners languishing in jails

The interior ministry is designing a comprehensive plan to repatriate foreign prisoners languishing in the country’s jails despite completing their sentences.

A team headed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has compiled extensive recommendations for the records, facilities and the return of such foreign prisoners under the direction of the Federal Review Board (FRB).

“Effective contacts will be made with the foreign countries for the repatriation of the foreign prisoners who have completed their sentences,” sources said.

Meanwhile, mentally-challenged prisoners will be shifted to shelter homes in the first phase. Such prisoners will be treated at the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH).

“This decision will also benefit a prisoner in India who can speak and hear,” sources shared.Likewise, the NADRA has issued Alien Registration Cards (ARC) for 20 foreign prisoners, including 4 Indians, which were generated after obtaining biometric data.

Similarly, the minister will seek assistance from provincial institutions and NGOs for the safe accommodation and rehabilitation of foreign prisoners.

Among the many prisoners who will be able to benefit from the steps will be 11 Bangladeshi and some others from UAE, Tanzania and Myanmar.

As per data available with the Express Tribune, a total of 103 foreigners are currently being held in 21 different jails across Punjab, out of which 52 face extradition, 17 are serving their sentences whereas 34 await repatriation having served their time.

Their crimes range from petty issues such as visa overstay to serious offences like espionage and heinous crimes like spreading terrorism. The 103 are nationals of several countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, China, Czech Republic, Dominica, India, Iran, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.