World News | Over 20,000 Pakistanis Imprisoned in 88 Countries, Says Govt

Lahore, Sep 5 (PTI) At least 20,000 Pakistanis are currently imprisoned across 88 countries, mostly in Saudi Arabia and UAE, according to official data.

Among those incarcerated, 68 Pakistani nationals face death penalty, convicted for crimes such as terrorism, murder, and drug trafficking, The Express Tribune newspaper reported on Thursday citing the government report.

Also Read | 'Solar Manufacturing and Technology Must Be Democratised To Help Developing Countries,' Says PM Narendra Modi While Virtually Addressing International Solar Festival.

A vast majority of these prisoners are held in the United Arab Emirates (5,292) and Saudi Arabia (10,432), making up 74 percent of the total. Besides, 463 Pakistanis are languishing in Malaysian prisons, 321 in the UK, and 578 in Oman, the report said.

Many of them are also in jails of Turkey, Bahrain, Greece, China, the United States and Germany, it said.

Also Read | PM Modi's Singapore Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Hold Meet With Top Business Leaders and CEOs, Discusses India's Investment Reforms.

"Once imprisoned, these individuals are left at the mercy of local legal systems, often without access to proper legal representation, impartial translators, or sufficient support from Pakistani embassies," the report said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)