ISLAMABAD: Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), in collaboration with the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR), marked International Migrants Day 2025 with a panel discussion focused on the challenges faced by overseas Pakistani prisoners and the urgent need to strengthen and codify Pakistan’s consular protection framework.

The event brought together parliamentarians, government officials, human rights institutions, legal practitioners and civil society representatives to take stock of existing consular practices, identify systemic shortcomings and discuss the need for structured, rights-based reforms to protect Pakistani citizens beyond borders.

Senator Zeeshan Khanzada said, “We want to ensure the effective passage of the Consular Protection Bill. I have prepared this draft to deliver consistent protection for Pakistanis detained overseas.”

He expressed hope that the issue would transcend partisan lines and that all stakeholders would work together to address the vulnerabilities of overseas Pakistanis.

The panel featured Director General of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (LAJA), Adil Anwar, who highlighted comparative models of cross-border legal aid, including arrangements between the Malaysian Bar and the Thai Embassy, where state support enabled effective legal representation for foreign nationals.

Khadija Akthar of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) emphasised the important role OPF played as the main body addressing complaints by overseas Pakistanis, and stressed the need for improved public-private coordination.

Advocate High Court, Suleman Zeb, who represents over 100 repatriated Pakistani prisoners from Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, stressed, “Many Pakistanis detained abroad do not understand the legal process or the language of the courts, leading to an unfair trial.”

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2025