23,000 Pakistanis Locked Abroad: Saudi Jails Hold Half as Families Plead for Justice
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed staggering figures to the National Assembly: 23,456 Pakistanis are currently jailed abroad, with Saudi Arabia housing over half (12,156) and the UAE ranking second (5,292 inmates), Dawn newspaper revealed. Most face charges ranging from drug trafficking to financial fraud, while others languish for minor offences like overstaying visas.
In China, 400 Pakistanis were convicted for drug smuggling, rape, and murder, while Bahrain jailed 450 for narcotics and fraud. Afghanistan held 88 for security violations, and Qatar sentenced 338 for theft, money laundering, and sexual crimes. Oman and Malaysia imprisoned 309 and 255 respectively, primarily for drug-related crimes and illegal entry.
European nations showed mixed transparency: France and Germany convicted 168 and 94 Pakistanis but withheld charges citing privacy laws. Switzerland granted consular access to just one of five inmates—a domestic abuse convict. Azerbaijan sentenced 11 for murder and trafficking, while Turkiye trials 161 for child abuse and human trafficking.
The ministry emphasized a “comprehensive strategy” to assist detainees, including consular visits, verifying prison conditions, and supplying essentials where permitted. However, hurdles persist: Canada, Denmark, and Norway refused to disclose charges against 9, 27, and 3 prisoners respectively, citing strict privacy regulations.
Families of inmates decry systemic neglect, urging faster repatriation for non-violent offenders. “My son has been in a Saudi jail for two years over a visa issue,” shared one parent anonymously. The ministry acknowledged gaps in gender-wise data but assured collaboration with host nations to compile details.
As pressure mounts, Pakistan’s government faces calls to strengthen diplomatic interventions—especially in Gulf states, where overcrowded prisons and harsh sentences disproportionately impact migrant workers.
