21,647 Pakistanis in foreign jails, 13,078 still under trial, assembly told

A total of 21,647 Pakistanis were reported to be in foreign jails as of November 2025, including 13,078 under trial and 8,569 convicted

Islamabad: A total of 21,647 Pakistanis were reported to be in foreign jails as of November 2025, including 13,078 under trial and 8,569 convicted, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates accounting for the largest reported numbers. The figures also reveal major gaps in information about some prisoners, as several countries have not shared details of their cases because of privacy laws or pending responses.

The Foreign Office provided the figures in a written reply to MNA Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, who asked Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar how many Pakistanis had been imprisoned in different countries during the previous year and what crimes had led to their imprisonment.

According to the government’s country wise list, Saudi Arabia had a combined 10,745 Pakistani prisoners in its Jeddah and Riyadh consular regions. This included 4,775 people under trial and 5,970 convicted. The United Arab Emirates reported another 5,297 Pakistanis under trial, while the nature of their cases was listed as awaiting a response.

Together, the reported figures for Saudi Arabia and the UAE amount to 16,042 people, nearly three quarters of the total reported Pakistani prisoners abroad. The figures are based on information supplied by Pakistani missions and were recorded as of November 2025.

China had 652 Pakistani prisoners, including 417 under trial and 235 convicted. Greece reported 516, comprising 56 under trial and 460 convicted. Qatar had 599, including five under trial and 594 convicted, while Oman reported 578 under trial and no convicted prisoners in the table.

India had 738 Pakistanis listed as under trial and none as convicted. Malaysia reported 444 prisoners, including 134 under trial and 310 convicted. Italy had 353, with 133 under trial and 220 convicted. Bahrain reported 218, including 103 under trial and 115 convicted.

The figures also showed 169 Pakistanis in Iran’s jails, including 68 under trial and 101 convicted. In Iraq, 30 were under trial and 51 convicted. Kazakhstan reported 68 under trial and 23 convicted, while Afghanistan had 86 under trial and five convicted.

The list identifies a wide range of alleged offences and convictions, depending on the case and legal status of each person. These include drug smuggling and trafficking, illegal entry, visa violations, human trafficking, fraud, theft, robbery, murder, kidnapping, sexual offences, forged documents and financial crimes.

In Saudi Arabia, the listed offences include drug related crimes, theft, bribery, murder, assault and illegal border crossing. The Riyadh list also includes fraud, traffic accidents, cybercrime, smuggling and kidnapping. In China, the reported categories include drug smuggling, counterfeit money, fraud, illegal business operations and traffic offences. Qatar’s list includes drug offences, robbery, cheque cases, theft, kidnapping, sexual offences, murder, money laundering and forged currency.

The government also acknowledged gaps in the information received from some countries. The United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States were listed as awaiting responses on the nature of cases. The US list showed 84 Pakistanis under trial and 57 convicted, while the UK had 23 under trial and none listed as convicted.

France did not provide prisoner data because of local privacy laws. Canada reported nine convicted Pakistanis but said it could not share details of prisoners or people under trial without their consent. The Canadian mission also said, according to its institutional memory, that some Pakistani prisoners had not agreed to consular access because they wanted to avoid deportation. Norway likewise declined to share details, citing secrecy obligations under its local privacy law.

The list also recorded countries where no Pakistani prisoners were reported, including Algeria, Brunei, Cuba, Ghana, Mexico, Myanmar, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Uganda. In Kenya, the mission reported that six Pakistani prisoners had been released and repatriated on June 3, 2025, after its efforts.

The Foreign Office said Pakistani missions remain in contact with prison authorities through emails, telephone calls and physical meetings. In Sweden, the mission said it seeks consular access after learning of a Pakistani national’s arrest, helps with documents and intervenes when communication problems or mistreatment are reported. Once a prisoner has completed a sentence, the mission can process travel documents to help with repatriation when requested by the relevant authorities.

The information presented to the National Assembly gives a broad picture of Pakistanis held abroad, but privacy restrictions and missing replies mean the government does not have complete case details for every country.