Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and founder of PTI, Imran Khan, has expressed heartfelt thanks to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his role in securing the release of thousands of Pakistani prisoners from Saudi jails. This announcement was made public on Wednesday through his legal counsel.
The acknowledgment came a day after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the Senate about Saudi Arabia’s initiative, which resulted in the release of 7,208 Pakistani prisoners between 2019 and 2024. According to Dar, this significant development stemmed from the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
During Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan in February 2019, then-Prime Minister Imran Khan had personally requested him to consider the plight of Pakistani detainees in Saudi jails. Shortly after, the Crown Prince issued orders for their release, marking a positive step in diplomatic ties and humanitarian support.
In his Senate briefing, Ishaq Dar, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, shared details about a developing consular policy aimed at safeguarding the rights of Pakistani citizens imprisoned abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with stakeholders to finalize this policy.
While the new framework is still under progress, Dar emphasized that Pakistan is actively working under international agreements to protect its citizens. Consular officers are regularly visiting Pakistani detainees to provide legal assistance and ensure their well-being.
The breakdown of the released prisoners revealed that 545 were freed in 2019, 892 in 2020, 916 in 2021, 1,331 in 2022, 1,394 in 2023, and a record number of 2,130 in 2024. The consistent increase highlights the growing commitment of both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to address these issues.
However, despite these releases, over 23,456 Pakistanis are still serving prison sentences in different countries. Among these, 12,156 are in Saudi Arabia, 5,292 in the UAE, 811 in Greece, and 338 in Qatar. Many of these individuals ended up in foreign jails due to entering the countries illegally or committing minor offenses.
The government has pledged to continue its efforts to support these individuals. By working with host countries and ensuring proper legal representation, Pakistan aims to ease the hardships of its citizens abroad.
This large-scale release is a testament to the strong diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as the dedication of Imran Khan, who initiated the conversation with the Saudi leadership. It also sheds light on the importance of ensuring the rights and dignity of overseas Pakistanis, many of whom face difficult circumstances far from home.
This development serves as a reminder of the critical role international diplomacy plays in addressing humanitarian concerns and building strong relationships between nations. Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive policy for imprisoned citizens reflect the country’s commitment to protecting its people wherever they are.
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