At least 68 Pakistanis are on death row in 10 countries

Dubai: The National Assembly of Pakistan was informed that nearly 10,300 of the 20,000 Pakistani nationals currently incarcerated overseas are being held in Saudi Arabia.

The revelation came during a session led by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister.

According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 10,279 Pakistanis are detained in Saudi prisons, making the kingdom home to roughly half of the 19,997 Pakistanis imprisoned abroad. The number of detainees in foreign jails highlights the significant issue of Pakistani nationals facing serious charges in countries around the world.

The figures provided also revealed that 68 Pakistanis are currently on death row across 10 countries, facing charges ranging from terrorism to drug trafficking and murder.

The primary offenses for which Pakistanis are detained abroad include illegal immigration, drug possession, human trafficking, assault, and fraud.

Significant numbers

Aside from Saudi Arabia, other countries with significant numbers of detained Pakistanis include the UAE (5,292), Greece (598), and Oman (578). Other countries, including Malaysia, Turkey, and the UK, also have notable figures, with many facing serious charges such as money laundering.

Repatriation efforts

In his statement, Dar assured the public that the government is actively working to facilitate the repatriation of prisoners. He explained that emergency travel documents are issued to those whose passports have expired after they complete their sentences, and that the Pakistani community often helps pay fines for released prisoners.

“There is no obstacle in the repatriation of prisoners to Pakistan,” Dar said, adding that Saudi Arabia has agreed to repatriate 570 prisoners under a bilateral agreement. He emphasised the ongoing efforts to return detainees to their home country.

The report underscores the widespread challenge faced by Pakistani nationals abroad, with the government working to manage diplomatic ties and ensure the safe return of prisoners wherever possible.