PAKISTAN: New data has unveiled a troubling reality: approximately 20,000 Pakistani nationals are currently imprisoned across 88 countries. This significant number underscores the precarious situations faced by many Pakistanis who emigrate in search of better economic opportunities, particularly to Gulf countries. Despite their crucial role in contributing to Pakistan’s economy through foreign remittances, these individuals frequently encounter severe challenges abroad.
Once detained, many Pakistani emigrants find themselves ensnared in complex legal systems, often without adequate legal representation, impartial translators, or sufficient support from Pakistani embassies. This lack of support leaves them vulnerable to harsh punishments, exacerbated by difficulties in understanding the legal process, communicating with courts, and presenting evidence from Pakistan to defend themselves.
Of the 20,000 Pakistani prisoners, 68 face the death penalty for grave offenses such as terrorism, murder, and drug trafficking. The report highlights that the majority of these prisoners are held in the United Arab Emirates (5,292) and Saudi Arabia (10,432), accounting for 74 percent of the total. This concentration reflects the highest number of incarcerated Pakistanis in any single country. Other countries with notable numbers of Pakistani inmates include Malaysia (463), the United Kingdom (321), and Oman (578). Additionally, Pakistani prisoners are also found in Turkey, Bahrain, Greece, China, the United States, and Germany.
This data not only reveals the extensive legal struggles faced by Pakistani nationals abroad but also underscores the gap in protection and assistance provided to migrant workers. While remittances from these workers are vital to Pakistan’s economic stability and foreign reserves, the country’s support system for its expatriates falls short, leaving many to navigate foreign legal systems without adequate resources or advocacy.
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