Over 21,000 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned in foreign countries, according to a written reply submitted by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to the National Assembly.
The breakdown shows that India holds 738 Pakistanis, though the government provided no details on the specific charges. Saudi Arabia has 10,745 Pakistanis in prison, some convicted and others awaiting trial, while the United Arab Emirates detains 5,297, with no crime details available.
In China, 652 Pakistanis are incarcerated, primarily on charges of drug smuggling, fraud, illegal immigration, and counterfeiting. Other countries with significant Pakistani detainees include Qatar (599), Oman (578), Malaysia (444), Italy (353), Bahrain (218), Turkey (190), the United States (141), and Afghanistan (91).
The reply noted that 13,078 Pakistanis abroad are still facing trial, while 8,569 have been convicted.
This data highlights the widespread presence of Pakistani nationals in prisons worldwide and underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by citizens overseas.
