According to newly released data, around 20,000 Pakistanis are currently incarcerated in 88 countries worldwide.
Despite being a crucial source of foreign remittances, significantly contributing to Pakistan’s economy, many Pakistanis who migrate for better job opportunities, particularly in Gulf countries, find themselves in precarious situations abroad.
Once detained, these individuals often struggle with local legal systems, lacking proper legal representation, impartial translators, or adequate support from Pakistani embassies.
Their inability to navigate the legal process, communicate effectively in court, or present critical evidence from Pakistan severely hampers their defense, leading to harsh penalties.
Among the incarcerated, 68 Pakistanis are on death row, convicted of crimes such as terrorism, murder, and drug trafficking.
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 number of incarcerated Pakistanis abroad.
Other countries with significant Pakistani prisoner populations include Malaysia (463), the United Kingdom (321), and Oman (578).
Pakistani nationals are also imprisoned in countries like Turkey, Bahrain, Greece, China, the United States, and Germany. This data highlights the legal challenges faced by Pakistanis overseas, especially those facing the death penalty for serious offenses.
While Pakistan relies heavily on remittances for economic stability and foreign reserves, it falls short of providing adequate protection and support to its migrant workers, many of whom end up in foreign prisons.
