ISLAMABAD: A total of 21,647 Pakistani nationals are imprisoned in 72 countries worldwide, according to a written response submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the National Assembly.
The figures were presented during Question Hour, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar informing the house that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had the highest number of Pakistani prisoners, with 5,297 nationals held in its jails.
Saudi Arabia ranked second, with 4,775 Pakistani citizens imprisoned in various facilities across the country, according to the ministry’s response.
Meanwhile, 738 Pakistani nationals are being held in prisons across India, the written reply stated.
The figures were provided in response to a question in the National Assembly regarding the number of Pakistani citizens imprisoned abroad.