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Over 7,200 Pakistani Prisoners Freed from Saudi Jails Since 2019: Senate Told
7,208 Pakistani prisoners freed from Saudi jails since 2019, says FM Ishaq Dar. Amnesty during Crown Prince's 2019 visit was crucial. Over 23,000 Pakistanis still jailed worldwide.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-21
Over 7,200 Pakistani Prisoners Freed from Saudi Jails Since 2019: Senate Told

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed that a total of 7,208 Pakistani prisoners were released from Saudi prisons between 2019 and 2024. The announcement was made in response to a query from Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur regarding the release of prisoners following Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s historic visit to Pakistan in February 2019.

Breakdown of Prisoner Releases

During his visit, the crown prince announced the release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners as a goodwill gesture. Dar's response included detailed figures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the subsequent releases:

  • 2019: 545 prisoners
  • 2020: 892 prisoners
  • 2021: 916 prisoners
  • 2022: 1,331 prisoners
  • 2023: 1,394 prisoners
  • 2024: 2,130 prisoners

The total includes 4,301 prisoners under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Consulate General in Jeddah and 2,907 under the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh.

Challenges in Tracking Amnesty Beneficiaries

Dar clarified that due to the continuous influx of prisoners and deportations, it is challenging to precisely determine the number of individuals who benefited from the 2019 amnesty.

Pakistani Prisoners Worldwide

The foreign minister also disclosed that 23,456 Pakistani nationals are currently imprisoned abroad. Saudi Arabia has the highest number of Pakistani detainees at 12,156, followed by the UAE with 5,292. Other notable figures include Greece (811) and Qatar (338).

Of the total imprisoned Pakistanis, at least 7,869 are under-trial prisoners. The situation underscores the challenges faced by Pakistani workers abroad, many of whom are impoverished laborers with limited access to legal representation.

Efforts for Consular Policy

Dar stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on a comprehensive consular protection policy through consultations with various stakeholders. The policy aims to streamline support for Pakistani citizens imprisoned abroad.

In February 2023, the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights directed the foreign ministry to finalize the long-awaited "Uniform Consular Protection Policy" within three months. This directive highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to address the rights and welfare of Pakistanis detained abroad.

Economic Significance of Migrant Workers

A significant number of Pakistanis migrate annually to the Middle East for employment, primarily in construction and domestic work. The remittances they send home play a critical role in sustaining Pakistan’s economy. The plight of imprisoned workers has drawn national attention, emphasizing the need for legal and diplomatic support for these individuals.

The Senate report underscores the importance of bilateral cooperation and proactive consular measures to ensure the welfare of Pakistani nationals abroad.

 
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ForeignPolicy

PakistaniPrisoners

SaudiAmnesty
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