ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A total of 6450 Pakistanis are currently incarcerated in jails of Gulf Countries, the Senate has been informed.
In reply to a question raised by Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, the Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed the House in written that 6450 Pakistanis are incarcerated in jails in the Gulf Countries in the year 2017-18.
The minister informed that in the year 2017-18, 54 Pakistanis are imprisoned in Qatar, 2600 in United Arab Emirates (UAE), 2970 in Saudi Arabia, 38 in Kuwait, 128 in Bahrain, 657 in Omen and three in Yemen.
Country-wise details of Pakistanis incarcerated in Jails of Gulf Countries in the year 2017-18;
The foreign minister also apprised the Senate that following steps are being taken by the Pakistani government for the welfare and release of Pakistani prisoners in Gulf Countries;
(i) Teams from Mission regularly visit jails and meet prisoners for any assistance that may be provided as per the law.
(ii) They maintain regular contact/ liaison with families of prisoners to facilitate them in hiring of lawyer, submission of fines, legal documents etc.
(iii) Missions are in contact with jail authorities on problems of prisoners like health, food and others.
(iv) Financial assistance is provided to prisoners/ destitute Pakistanis to pay fines for release.
(v) Consular officers regularly visit deportation centers and issue Emergency travel documents to those deportees who do not possess valid documents.
(vi) Legal assistance is provided to prisoners.
(vii) Translation facility is provided during court hearings.
(viii) Those prisoners who cannot afford air tickets are provided with air tickets for early repatriation.
(ix) Mercy Petitions from the relatives of the prisoners are forwarded to the President/ Royal Courts/ Rulers.
2420 Pakistani students studying abroad on HEC’s overseas scholarships
In reply to another question by Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Shaikh, the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood Shafqat Mahmood said that a total of 2420 Pakistani students are studying abroad on HEC’s overseas scholarships in 31 Countries at present.
