ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Currently, there are 47 Pakistan nationals detained in different jails in Afghanistan as confirmed by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly was told on Monday.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the House that on receiving information regarding detention of Pakistan nationals in Afghanistan, Pakistan Embassy in Kabul immediately takes up the matter with the Afghan authorities requesting for provision of Consular Access to ascertain the national status of the detainees.
The information received is also shared with the relevant Pakistan authorities, he said.
The foreign minister told that the Embassy has raised the issue with the Afghan side on multiple occasions including in high level meetings requesting consular access and early release of Pakistan nationals detained in Afghan jails.
Bilawal Bhutto said that once the prisoners are released from jails, the Embassy issues necessary travel documents as well as financial assistance enabling their repatriation to Pakistan.
Furthermore, he apprised the House that as per the list of Pakistani prisoners in India shared by Indian side on 01 July 2022, 345 civil prisoners and 116 fishermen are detained in various jails across India.
The minister told that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its High Commission in New Delhi regularly takes up with Indian side the issue of early release and repatriation of Pakistani prisoners.
Bilawal said that our Mission also provides necessary legal and financial assistance to Pakistani prisoners.
