The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development convened on Monday in Islamabad to address the issues faced by overseas Pakistanis imprisoned in foreign countries, demanding answers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding 85 Pakistanis held in Afghanistan. Chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, the committee expressed serious concern over the lack of information provided about the nature of the alleged offenses committed by these individuals. The ministry was ordered to provide comprehensive details about all overseas Pakistani prisoners, including the nature of their alleged crimes, within 15 days.
The committee was informed that 17,236 Pakistanis are currently imprisoned worldwide, with the majority in the Middle East. The senators also requested a list of countries that inform Pakistani authorities about the arrests of their citizens and those that do not. This list is to be presented in their upcoming session. The committee urged the ministry to accelerate the finalization of Prisoner Transfer Agreements with different nations to expedite the return of innocent Pakistanis facing legal challenges overseas. Senator Nasir Mehmood specifically requested verification of the citizenship of the 85 individuals detained in Afghanistan.
Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) from Dubai, Doha, and Kuala Lumpur reported 3,523, 619, and 499 Pakistani detainees in their respective locations. The committee reviewed the work of the CWAs and requested evaluation procedures for assessing their efficacy, along with comprehensive information on all Pakistani prisoners under their jurisdiction. Senator Shahadat Awan criticized the inadequate formatting and incomplete data in the submitted documents, stressing the necessity of providing accurate and complete details.
The chairman noted a significant lack of cooperation and information exchange between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Overseas Pakistanis, emphasizing the need for improved inter-ministerial collaboration. Senator Raja Nasir Abbas raised the case of his relative, Ghulam Hasnain, allegedly illegally detained after traveling for Umrah, and urged immediate action for his release. He also highlighted issues faced by Pakistanis in Iraq, including passport seizures and unfair wages. The chairman advocated for the enactment of a Consular Protection Act to protect the rights of Pakistani prisoners abroad. Finally, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) briefed the committee on its performance and future plans, receiving praise and a directive to align its programs with global standards to improve overseas employment opportunities for Pakistanis.