ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: As many as 49 Pakistani prisoners are currently detained across Federal Prisons in the United States, the National Assembly was told on Friday.
Replying to a question by Shams un Nisa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the House in writing that the kind of offence/crime committed by Pakistanis imprisoned in US jails includes racketeering, fraud, extortion, possession of explosives/firearms and breach of the Communication Act i.e. stalking, harassment or cyberbullying, blackmail, making threats of violence, and inciting hatred or violence.
The House was apprised that Pakistani nationals usually sign a waiver at the time of their arrest, surrendering their right to consular access, with an intention to exhaust all possible options to stay in the US even when they have completed their sentence.
However, if they request consular access by not signing a waiver at the time of arrest, immediate access is given to them, it was further told.
