ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented details in the National Assembly of Pakistan revealing that more than 12,500 Pakistani prisoners were released from foreign jails during the past year.
According to official figures, Iraq recorded the highest number of releases, with 4,863 Pakistanis freed from prisons in Baghdad. Meanwhile, authorities released 1,947 Pakistani prisoners from Jeddah, 1,899 from Dubai, and 1,650 from Kuala Lumpur.
The ministry further stated that 863 prisoners returned from Riyadh, while 371 gained release from Muscat and 93 from Moscow. In addition, foreign authorities freed 30 Pakistanis from Istanbul, 67 from Harare, and 18 from New York City.
Officials also informed lawmakers that 91 Pakistani prisoners were released from Harris, 16 from Bangkok, and 125 from Ankara during the same reporting period.
However, despite the large number of releases, thousands of Pakistani nationals remain imprisoned abroad. According to ministry data, 21,480 Pakistanis are currently held in foreign jails across several countries.
Saudi Arabia holds the highest number of Pakistani prisoners, with 10,745 currently detained there. The United Arab Emirates follows with 5,297 Pakistani inmates in custody.
Furthermore, the ministry reported that 578 Pakistanis remain imprisoned in Oman, 601 in Qatar, and 190 in Turkey. Malaysia currently holds 448 Pakistani prisoners, while India detains 738 and Greece holds 516.
The figures also showed that 452 Pakistanis remain jailed in China, 218 in Bahrain, 169 in Iran, 131 in the United States, 105 in Germany, and 81 in Iraq.
The ministry shared the data as part of parliamentary proceedings addressing overseas Pakistanis and consular affairs.
