Over 1,300 Pakistanis imprisoned in Oman and UAE

22 Oct, 2005

More than 1,300 Pakistan nationals are imprisoned in various jails of Oman and United Arab Emirates. According to documents placed before the National Assembly, 81 Pakistanis are imprisoned in various jails in the Sultanate of Oman.
While around 1,276 are detained in United Arab Emirates (UAE) for varying length on account of offences such as murder, drug trafficking, theft, rape and illegal entry or stay.
To facilitate early release of detainees, the Lower House was informed all possible legal help was being extended including liaison with various departments of both the governments.
Community Welfare Attaché paid regular visits to jails, deportation centres and immigration departments to keep a check on the detainees' well being. Emergency passports are being issued to Pakistani deportees without any fee to enable them to travel back to Pakistan.
Arrangements for travel expenses are being made for those who cannot bear the costs or when the host government does not provide travel expenses for their deportation.
Pakistani Mission in Abu Dhabi has requested to concerned UAE authorities to indicate the specific period of imprisonment in case of each of Pakistani national.
On the other hand, a total of 956 foreign nationals of various countries have been arrested since January 2003 on drug related offences in Pakistan.
Most of the arrested persons belong to Nigeria, as 545 Nigerians were apprehended during last three years.
More than 58 Afghanis were also arrested during this period on charges of drug trafficking. 12 British nationals were also found guilty and cases have been registered against them as well.

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