May 19, 2025: More than 23,000 Pakistani nationals are currently imprisoned across the globe for a wide range of serious criminal offences including rape, murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and fraud, according to a report presented by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the National Assembly, as reported by Dawn on Monday.
The Ministry revealed during the lower house’s question hour that 23,456 Pakistanis are incarcerated abroad, with the highest number (12,156) detained in Saudi Arabia. The United Arab Emirates follows closely, holding 5,292 Pakistani prisoners.
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In China, around 400 Pakistanis are behind bars, mainly for drug smuggling, rape, robbery, murder, and counterfeit currency crimes. Similarly, 450 Pakistanis are imprisoned in Bahrain for drug-related crimes and fraud. Afghanistan has convicted 88 individuals for overstaying visas and security-related offenses.
Elsewhere in West Asia, the situation remains concerning:
- Qatar: 338 Pakistanis imprisoned for murder, narcotics, money laundering, rape, and theft.
- Oman: 309 convicted of drug trafficking, robbery, and sexual assault.
- Malaysia: 255 convicted for illegal entry and serious criminal offenses.
In Europe, the pattern continues:
- France: 168 Pakistani prisoners.
- Germany: 94 convicted.
- Austria: Crimes include illegal entry, human/drug trafficking, murder, and sexual harassment (exact numbers unspecified).
- Norway and Finland: No charge details shared for detained Pakistanis.
- Denmark: 27 jailed.
- Canada: 9 prisoners.
In the Caucasus region, Azerbaijan has 16 Pakistani inmates, with 11 convicted of murder, human/drug trafficking, and illegal entry, and 5 still on trial.
In Türkiye, the report highlighted 147 convictions and 161 ongoing trials for offences ranging from sexual assault and child abuse to human and drug trafficking.
The report paints a troubling global image of Pakistan’s overseas criminal footprint, raising concerns about the country’s expatriate community and the importance of strengthening legal education and consular support for citizens abroad.