ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that a total of 4045 Pakistanis were imprisoned in Saudi Arab, India, Afghanistan, Oman, Malaysia and African countries jails on various charges.
During question hour, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in a written reply said there were 2393 Pakistanis imprisoned in different jails of Saudi Arabia on various charges.
He said that 439 Pakistanis were imprisoned in various jails of India while 22 Pakistanis were imprisoned in Amritsar jail whose national identity was confirmed.
He said there were 207 Pakistanis imprisoned in Afghan jails and majority of these prisoners were detained on charges of illegal entry into Afghanistan, Taliban suspect, spying, narcotics, forgery and robbery charges.
The House was informed that there were 601 Pakistanis in various jails of Oman while there were 336 Pakistanis detained in prisons in Malaysia.
To another question, the house was informed that a total of 69 Pakistanis was imprisoned in 11 African countries on various charges.
He said the government has taken various steps to provide them all possible assistance including regular consular visits to jails, legal assistance, where required to facilitate their defence in the court of law, travel documents, etc.
