The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development reported that 21,406 Pakistani citizens are currently detained in prisons across 61 countries.
The figures, while substantial, are incomplete, as 14 Pakistani embassies have yet to submit comprehensive data, potentially underrepresenting the total number of incarcerated nationals. This revelation underscores the challenges faced by Pakistan’s migrant workers, who contribute significantly to the economy through remittances but often face legal vulnerabilities abroad.
Saudi Arabia leads with 10,423 Pakistani prisoners, primarily convicted for drug trafficking, theft, and other offenses, followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 5,297, where most are held for drug-related crimes. Turkey ranks third with 1,437 detainees, many facing charges of illegal entry, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. India holds 738 Pakistanis, largely for immigration violations and security-related offenses, while Oman (578) and Malaysia (463) also report significant numbers, with convictions for crimes such as murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. Qatar (422), Sri Lanka (112), Afghanistan (85), South Africa (75), the United States (65), the United Kingdom (23), Australia (27), and Spain (42) also feature prominently in the data.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working to provide consular support, including legal assistance and repatriation efforts, with notable successes such as the release of 7,208 Pakistanis from Saudi jails between 2019 and 2024, facilitated by a 2022 Saudi-Pakistan Prisoner Transfer Agreement. In 2020, 1,200 prisoners were repatriated from the UAE, and 1,500 from Malaysia under humanitarian initiatives. Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) has also played a critical role, repatriating 44 prisoners from Sri Lanka in 2020 and 56 in 2024, and achieving resentencing for 10 Pakistani prisoners in Malaysia in 2024 following the abolition of the mandatory death penalty.
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Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Many prisoners face language barriers, lack of legal representation, and limited consular access, exacerbating due process violations. A 2023 JPP and Human Rights Watch report highlighted systemic issues in Saudi Arabia, where Pakistani migrant workers are often coerced into drug trafficking and denied adequate support. The Ministry is developing a comprehensive consular policy under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963 to address these issues, but gaps in data and coordination with host countries remain obstacles.
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of Pakistani prisoners in key countries as of January 2025, based on data from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, JPP, and other sources:
| Country | Number of Pakistani Prisoners | Primary Offenses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 10,423 | Drug trafficking, theft, rape, fraud | 7,208 released (2019-2024); 26 on death row under Riyadh Embassy |
| UAE | 5,297 | Drug offenses, fraud, murder | 1,200 repatriated in 2020; 1,612 in Abu Dhabi, 1,488 in Dubai |
| Turkey | 1,437 | Illegal entry, human trafficking, drug smuggling, sexual assault | 147 convicted, 161 under trial as of 2023 |
| India | 738 | Immigration violations, overstay, security-related | Often linked to border disputes |
| Oman | 578 | Drug trafficking, murder, robbery, sexual assault | 38 pardoned and released in 2021 |
| Malaysia | 463 | Drug trafficking, illegal entry, murder, fraud | 1,500 repatriated in 2020; 10 resentenced in 2024 |
| Qatar | 422 | Theft, murder, narcotics, money laundering, fraud | 209 reported in 2023, rising trend due to labor migration |
| Sri Lanka | 112 | Drug trafficking, fake currency, forgery | 44 repatriated in 2020, 56 in 2024 |
| Afghanistan | 85 | Overstay, security-related, drug trafficking | 346 reported in 2018, significant decrease |
| South Africa | 75 | Drug trafficking, fraud, murder | Limited consular data available |
| United States | 65 | Drug smuggling, fraud, immigration violations | Includes Dr. Aafia Siddiqui |
| United Kingdom | 23 | Violence, sexual offenses, theft, fraud, drug trafficking | Down from 330 reported in 2024 |
| Australia | 27 | Drug trafficking, fraud, immigration violations | Limited offense details due to privacy laws |
| Spain | 42 | Sexual assault, financial fraud, drug trafficking | Down from 146 reported in 2018 |
| Total | 21,406 | Data incomplete; 14 embassies yet to report |
Sources: Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, Justice Project Pakistan
The government’s reliance on remittances, with over 10.8 million Pakistanis living abroad since 1990, underscores the urgency of protecting migrant workers. The Ministry is negotiating prisoner transfer agreements with countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Turkey to facilitate repatriation and improve conditions for detainees. However, civil society groups, including JPP, call for systemic reforms, including better legal aid and transparency through initiatives like the Pakistanis Imprisoned Abroad database, to safeguard the rights of vulnerable citizens detained overseas.
