Dubai: More than 2,500 Pakistani prisoners in UAE jails will benefit from a ‘prisoner exchange programme' which is in its final stages of planning, according to a senior diplomat.

"We have finalised the agreement about the prisoner exchange programme and it will be signed soon," added Khursheed Ahmad Junejo, the former Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE. Junejo relinquished charge of his office on November 9. Captain Jamil Khan, now retired, took charge of his office as the new ambassador on Sunday.

Speaking at a farewell reception, organised by Pakistan Journalists Forum in the UAE, Junejo highlighted his major achievements during his 26-month stint as ambassador to the UAE. "I believe it will be a milestone agreement between the two countries as thousands of prisoners and their families would benefit from it," he said, adding that the signing ceremony will be held soon after the draft of the agreement is approved by the federal cabinet in Islamabad as it has already been finalised by the UAE authorities. He added that some 2,500 Pakistani prisoners in UAE jails would benefit from the agreement once it's signed. "Mostly those serving long-term imprisonment, including life sentences, will benefit from the agreement as they will be sent back to Pakistan to serve their remaining jail term," he said.

Junejo said that bilateral trade between the two countries recorded significant development in his tenure. Pakistan's exports to the UAE increased from $1.3 billion (Dh4.77 billion) in 2008 to $1.5 billion in 2009, while the figure is expected to go up to $1.8 billion in 2010, making the UAE the second largest destination for Pakistani products, after the USA.

He noted that the foreign exchange remittances from UAE to Pakistan had also recorded a big increase as the remittances increased from $600 million in 2007 to $1.3 billion in 2009.

"The remittances are expected to touch $2 billion thus bringing the UAE on the top of the list of countries with maximum amount of remittances." One of the achievements made during Junejo's tenure was the transportation of a power plant donated by the UAE government in 2004.

"Transportation of the 320MW power plant, which has been lying here for the last six years, after the UAE gave it as a gift to Pakistan, was a big challenge and we are pleased to have it as it is urgently required in Pakistan in view of the energy crisis and power shortage in Pakistan," he said.

UAE post: New envoy announced

Captain Jamil Khan, now retired, took charge of his office on Sunday, November 14, as the new Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE.

Khan served as ambassador to Libya from April 17, 2009 to October 2010 before coming to the UAE.

Khan is known as a thorough professional with vast experience in the military, police, security, management and diplomatic front. He is also known as a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari. He also served as police chief in a number of cities in Pakistan.

He served as a former UN diplomat, a Security Adviser, a police officer and an army commissioned officer. He holds a Masters degree in Social Studies and Economics from the UK and has also completed a Master's degree in political science from Pakistan

From March 24, 2000 to September 15, 2008, he has served as the Security Adviser, UNO, Botswana, Somalia, Yemen and East Timor.