ISLAMABAD, Oct 8: Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said that 153 Pakistanis are detained in several detention centres across the United States.

In a written reply to a question raised by Dr Mohammad Said in the Senate on Friday, the minister provided details about the detainees and outlined the steps being taken by the government for their release.

The minister said the detainees were provided with an opportunity to fight their cases of deportation in immigration courts. If a detainee loses his case, the deportation becomes mandatory under the US laws.

He said the Pakistani embassy “cannot interfere” in the US laws.

However, “it does provide assistance” in the form of advice and documentary support if required for legal benefit of the detainee, he added.

The embassy also provides legal assistance to detainees in the post 9/11 phase for registration purposes. However, the registration requirement has been waived since January 1, 2004.

The embassy also assists Pakistani detainees by arranging free of charge attorneys from the community or other volunteer groups.