A Senate panel was informed that there are a total of 29,065 Pakistani prisoners currently held in various countries abroad. The startling figure was shared during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Irfanul Haq Siddiqui on Monday.

The majority of these prisoners, around 18,500, are being held in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the committee was told by senior officials of the Foreign Office.

The panel also reviewed the performance of several government institutes, including the Foreign Services Academy, Institute for Regional Studies, and Institute of Strategic Studies.

Expressing disappointment, the committee chairman highlighted that the requested information on the Pakistani prisoners was not fully provided. This includes details such as the names of the prisoners, the crimes they committed, the periods of their imprisonment, and the steps taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their release.

Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the chairman suggested creating a special desk to handle the cases of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad and maintain regular contact with their families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials provided additional details to the Senate committee. They stated that most of the Pakistani prisoners abroad had settled illegally in those countries, and the names, crimes, and other details of the prisoners could not be disclosed until complete documentation was received. The total number of Pakistani prisoners abroad was 29,065, based on data from 87 Pakistani missions, with over 18,500 of these prisoners being held in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The committee members pointed out that the prisoner details had been obtained previously, contrary to the officials’ claim. The committee chairman acknowledged this and stated that previous records would be reviewed, and steps would be taken to assist in the release of the prisoners.

Senators Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Sherry Rehman emphasized the need for effective measures to reunite the imprisoned Pakistanis, especially those held for minor crimes, with their families.

Senator Kakar suggested that the committee should not only monitor the issue of Pakistani prisoners abroad but also provide guidelines to the Foreign Office, and the committee directed the Foreign Office that foreign missions should be fully mobilized to assist in the release of Pakistani prisoners on the same pattern when other countries’ foreign missions act when their citizens are arrested abroad.

However, the officials of the Foreign Office informed the committee that privacy laws in European countries are strict, and their governments do not provide information without the prisoners’ consent.

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The committee also sought details on how many correspondences had been made with foreign governments for prisoner release, particularly, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Taking up another agenda item, the committee expressed their displeasure over the non-participation of the heads of the relevant institutions regarding the performance issues of the Foreign Services Academy, Institute of Regional Studies, and Institute of Strategic Studies.

The committee members emphasized that Parliament is the supreme institution and that the heads of these institutions should ensure their participation in committee briefings.

The chairman sought an explanation from the Foreign Office to determine the authority to ensure that heads of these institutions appear in the committee meetings.

She remarked that institutions should not adopt such an attitude, asserting that Parliament is the supreme institution.

Senator Rehman stated that the committee is important, and the heads of the relevant institutions should have ensured their participation and provided the necessary information.

The chairman expressed disappointment and directed that the briefing agendas for these institutions be postponed until the next meeting to ensure their participation.