SLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared detailed figures in the National Assembly regarding Pakistani citizens released from foreign prisons over the past year.
12,500+ Prisoners Freed
According to the data, more than 12,500 Pakistani prisoners were freed from jails across different countries during the last 12 months. The highest number of releases came from Baghdad, where 4,863 Pakistanis were freed, followed by Jeddah with 1,947. In Kuala Lumpur, 1,650 prisoners were released, while Dubai saw 1,899 Pakistanis regain their freedom.
Other notable figures include 863 releases from Riyadh, 371 from Muscat, and 93 from Moscow. In Istanbul, 30 Pakistanis were released, while 67 were freed from Harare and 18 from New York. Smaller numbers of releases were also reported from Harris (91), Bangkok (16), and Ankara (125).
21,480 Still Imprisoned Abroad
Meanwhile, officials informed the House that a total of 21,480 Pakistani nationals remain imprisoned in various countries. The largest population is in Saudi Arabia, with 10,745 Pakistani prisoners, followed by the UAE with 5,297.
Other countries with significant Pakistani prison populations include Malaysia (448), India (738), Greece (516), China (452), Bahrain (218), Germany (105), Iran (169), the United States (131), and Iraq (81).
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
The figures highlight both the successes of Pakistan’s consular and diplomatic missions in securing prisoner releases as well as the ongoing challenges faced by overseas Pakistanis. Officials noted that many prisoners are held for minor infractions, visa violations, or immigration-related offenses, while others face more serious charges.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to providing consular assistance to imprisoned Pakistanis and working with host countries to facilitate legal aid, fair trials, and, where possible, prisoner transfers or pardons. Families of those still detained have been urged to coordinate with Pakistani embassies for case-specific support.
