Islamabad:
The Senate’s Standing Committee for Overseas Pakistanis and the development of human resources on Wednesday instructed the authorities concerned to accelerate the negotiations and end prisoner transfer agreements with other countries.
Chairman of Senator Zeeshan Khanzada met the committee in the old Pip Hall, Parliament’s cabins. The committee discussed issues related to consular services delivered to Pakistanis who are imprisoned in different countries, especially in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Oman, with a specific focus on policies and joint initiatives made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Community Welfare Authtenés.
With regard to prisoners in Saudi Arabia, the committee was informed that 900 individuals had been interviewed and the national status of 400 had been verified through the Ministry of the Interior for transfer.
Furthermore, Senator Faisal Vawda promised to help orphans, widows and older prisoners and suggested to advance for pardon where appropriate. Chairman Zeeshan Khanzada approved this initiative and expanded his full support.
The committee was informed by the Director General of Mofa on completion of agreements with UAE, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, China, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Iran and South Korea and was informed that the transfer of active prisoners was currently underway.
Senator Zeeshan Khanzada emphasized the need for adequate legal representation and impartial translators of prisoners, and instructed the Welfare of Society Autthtenés to ensure these provisions. He further instructed the authorities concerned to accelerate the negotiations and end transfer agreements for prisoners to facilitate repatriation of Pakistani citizens so that they can serve their judgments in their homeland.
In addition, the committee asked for a detailed report on individuals imprisoned abroad due to unpaid fines.
The committee was also estimated that approximately 5,000 Pakistanis were currently detained across the West, with the majority convicted of drug -related offenses.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Welfare SertaTachés of the Society, the Committee recommended that the Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (M/O Op & HRD) should take the question of purchasing biometric machines for CWAs stationed by different missions. These machines would facilitate imprisonment by renewing their passports and CNICs, enabling them to submit appeals where appropriate.
In response to a request from Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, the committee was informed of the clemence process, noting that in Oman in Oman a long -time service was awarded on national holidays. The Committee also requested a detailed report on the allotted funds and exploited over the past two years to pay fines on behalf of detained Pakistanis across different missions.
The meeting ended with a discussion of confiscation of passports upon arrival of Pakistani Zairen traveling to Iraq, which has caused significant difficulties and humiliation in the hands of the Iraqi immigration authorities. The Secretary of M/O OP & HRD informed the committee on the steps taken so far to tackle the case. At this point, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada declared that he would turn to the chairman of the Senate to nominate Senator Raja Nasir Abbas as the focal person to this question.
