LHC seeks details of Pakistanis released from Saudi jails

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday sought details from the federal government about Pakistanis recently released by the Saudi Arabia, ARY News reported.

The LHC sought details on a petition fuiled by a citizen urging court to seek details of released Pakistanis from the government.

Justice Ayesha A. Malik issued the orders.

Petitioner’s lawyer said neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Interior Ministry furnished details about those released by the Saudi Arabia. The petitioner cited the Foreign Ministry report that said at least 11,000 Pakistanis were imprisoned in different jails worldwide.

Read: Saudi Arabia issues royal decree for release of Pakistani prisoners

While, as many as 3,000 Pakistanis are jailed in Saudi Arabia.

The petitioner contended before the court that it was the responsibility of Pakistan’s government to take measures for earliest release of Pakistanis languishing in Saudi jails.

On Feb 19, Saudi Arabia had issued a royal decree ordering the release of Pakistani prisoners serving jail terms in the Kingdom.

The royal decree follows on the heels of an assurance by Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) to release as many as 2107 Pakistani prisoners on a request by Prime Minister Imran Khan during the former’s two-day visit of Islamabad.

The Saudi foreign ministry has summoned details of the Pakistani prisoners incarcerated in Saudi jails from Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in the kingdom.