Over 21,000 Pakistanis imprisoned abroad

ISLAMABAD:

Twenty-one thousand six hundred and forty-seven (21,647) Pakistani nationals are currently imprisoned in different jails around the world, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar informed the National Assembly in a written response.

According to Dar, who also serves as the deputy prime minister, 738 Pakistani citizens are imprisoned in India. However, India has not shared any details regarding the charges against them.

The written response further revealed that 10,745 Pakistani citizens are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for various crimes. Some of them have already been convicted while many cases are still under trial.

In the United Arab Emirates, 5,297 Pakistani prisoners are currently detained. No specific information has been provided regarding the charges.

The report stated that 652 Pakistanis are detained in China, most of whom are involved in crimes related to drug smuggling, use of counterfeit currency, fraud, or illegal immigration.

It revealed that 599 Pakistani prisoners are imprisoned in Qatar; 578 in Oman; 444 in Malaysia; 353 in Italy; 218 in Bahrain while 190 Pakistanis are currently detained in different jails of Türkiye.

According to the reply, 141 Pakistanis are facing various charges in the United States of America and 91 Pakistani nationals imprisoned in neighbouring Afghanistan.