ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the National Assembly that a total of 23,456 Pakistani nationals are currently imprisoned across the globe, with the highest number—12,156—in Saudi Arabia.
During a question hour session in the lower house, the Foreign Ministry presented written details on the government's efforts to secure consular access and facilitate the repatriation of overseas prisoners. The ministry revealed that the second-largest number of incarcerated Pakistanis is in the United Arab Emirates, where 5,292 individuals are behind bars.
Responding to questions about gender-disaggregated data, the ministry stated that such statistics are being compiled with the cooperation of diplomatic missions and host country authorities. Missions are maintaining key information about detained individuals within their jurisdictions to provide appropriate consular assistance.
The country-wise number of detained Pakistani citizens are :
Saudi Arabia: 12,156 Pakistanis imprisoned.
UAE: 5,292 Pakistani detainees.
China: Around 400 Pakistanis, mostly convicted for drug trafficking, rape, robbery, murder, and counterfeit currency crimes.
Bahrain: 450 Pakistanis convicted of drug smuggling, possession, and fraud.
Afghanistan: 88 Pakistanis imprisoned for illegal stay and security-related offenses.
Qatar: 338 facing charges of theft, murder, drug offenses, money laundering, rape, and financial fraud.
Oman: 309 convicted of drug trafficking, murder, robbery, and sexual assault.
Malaysia: 255 convicted for similar crimes and illegal entry.
European and Other Countries:
Austria: 30 Pakistanis held on charges such as illegal entry, human/drug trafficking, murder, and sexual harassment. Conviction data remains unspecified.
Norway: Charges against three detainees not disclosed.
Finland: Two convicts held, but crime details not shared.
Switzerland: Out of five prisoners, one—convicted of domestic violence—has granted consular access.
Georgia: One Pakistani convicted; crime not disclosed.
France and Germany: 168 and 94 prisoners respectively; crime details withheld due to privacy laws.
Canada and Denmark: Refused to disclose crime details of 9 and 27 Pakistani prisoners respectively, citing strict privacy regulations.
Azerbaijan: 11 of 16 detainees convicted for murder, trafficking, and illegal entry; remaining cases are ongoing.
Turkey: 147 Pakistanis convicted for crimes like drug and human trafficking, sexual assault, and child abuse, while 161 cases are still under trial.
The Foreign Ministry claimed that it has implemented a comprehensive strategy to assist overseas Pakistani detainees, with special attention given to those imprisoned for minor or non-criminal offenses.
It added that regular consular visits are conducted to assess prison conditions and ensure humane treatment. Where local laws permit, essential items are also provided to detainees.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of Pakistanis incarcerated abroad through sustained diplomatic engagement.
