Abu Dhabi: The UAE and Pakistan signed a prisoner exchange treaty which will let inmates spend jail terms in their home countries.
The treaty was signed by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Rahman Malek, Interior Minister of Pakistan, on Sunday.
According to the agreement, a person sentenced to more than six months' imprisonment will have the option of serving the term in his home country.
This will also allow for prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration into their original society, and allows families to visit their imprisoned relatives, which will therefore ensure family stability, and ease the mental and livelihood stress of both families and prisoners.
A similar agreement was signed between the UAE and India recently.
According to a spokesperson of the Pakistan Embassy, around 1,400 Pakistani prisoners in UAE jails will benefit from the prisoner exchange programme.
However, there is no confirmation whether any UAE national is in jail in Pakistan.
The lists of the prisoners, currently serving their sentence in the UAE jails, will be prepared by the UAE Embassy in coordination with UAE authorities for extradition purposes.
Shaikh Saif said the agreement is in line with the directives of the UAE's leadership to provide social stability and cohesion.
Malek praised the efforts of both governments and their contributions to achieving international criminal justice and combating all forms of crime.
Addressing a joint press conference on Monday with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar at the conclusion of the 10th session of the Pakistan-UAE Ministerial Commission, UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed this country's commitment to Pakistan's security and stability.
On regional security and Iran, Shaikh Abdullah stated the UAE's position is clear.
"The security of the GCC is an integral part of global security, and the responsibility of peace and regional stability is a matter of global importance." he said.
With inputs from WAM
