Saudi Arabia agrees to repatriate 570 Pakistani prisoners
Over 10,000 Pakistanis languishing in Saudi jails, NA told. Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar revealed in the National Assembly session that 10,279 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia on various charges. Dar said that there is no obstacle in the repatriation of these prisoners and Saudi Arabia has agreed to the return of 570 prisoners to Pakistan under the prisoner transfer agreement.
During the Question Hour, under the chairmanship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while answering questions, clarified that no Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country has issued instructions to restrict the issuance of visas to Pakistani citizens. The ministry also confirmed that it has not received any such information from any GCC state.
Dar acknowledged that some countries have expressed concerns about Pakistani citizens involved in begging, forgery, drug smuggling and political activities. He said that the Ministry of Overseas and the Ministry of Interior are working together to address these concerns.
The meeting also discussed in detail the situation of Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia, which Dar said numbered at 10,279. He explained that emergency travel documents are provided to prisoners who have completed their sentences but whose passports have expired.
Furthermore, he said that the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia often helps those who have completed their sentences pay fines.
Dar stressed that there is no obstacle to the return of prisoners to Pakistan, highlighting the agreement by Saudi Arabia to transfer 570 prisoners under the repatriation agreement. The government’s statement indicates concerted efforts to resolve the issue of Pakistani prisoners abroad and facilitate their return.
