A parliamentary panel was informed on Monday that about 2,384 overseas Pakistanis are detained in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) jails due to minor or major crimes. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development met under the Chairmanship of Mir Aamer Ali Khan Magsi here on Monday. The committee was given briefing on the overseas Pakistanis detained in Saudi Arabia and UAE, attitude of Kafeel/employer towards overseas Pakistanis, and developments upon the complaints made by the overseas Pakistanis related to BNP building.
The Committee was informed that there were 1,834 Pakistanis detained in various jails in Saudi Arabia and 550 were in UAE, due to some minor and major crimes. The Committee also discussed the attitude/behaviour of Kafeels/employers towards Overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia/United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Committee was informed that the attitude/behaviour of the majority employers and owners of big companies is good and the workers including Pakistanis are satisfied with their work. However, there are some issues regarding the direct employment visas.
The Committee considered the issue of BNP Building and expressed concern over it. The Committee was informed that the OPF had sent a reference to CDA for taking further necessary action regarding the BNP Building. Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, Mian Najeebuddin Awaisi, Mian Imtaz Ahmed, Sabiha Nazir, Musarat Rafique Mahesar, Shagufta Jumani, Suraiya Jatoi, Sheikh Salahuddin, Aliya Kamaran, Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai, Shakila Khalid Luqman, Aisha MNAs and Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & HRD attended the meeting, besides officials of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.