ISLAMABAD, April 2: The National Assembly was told here on Friday that 1,048 Pakistanis were detained in countries like USA, England and Afghanistan but Pakistani missions were providing consular access to the prisoners in the respective countries.

Water and Power Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao on behalf of Foreign Minister Mian Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said that out of 1,048 detainees, the total number of Pakistanis in the immigration custody of USA was 211. Pakistani embassy and the consulate are providing consular access to the detainees either by visiting them or on telephone.

By interacting with the US Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, it is ensured that all detainees are dealt with in accordance with the law, he said, adding that during consular visits, it was ensured that the detainees were allowed to offer prayers, given halal food, besides they also have access to Holy Quran.

The embassy in conjunction with pro bono lawyers from the community, also provide legal assistance to all detainees, the minister said reminding the lower house that during NASEERS (National Security Entry Exit Registration System) registration process from December 2002 to May 2003, Pakistan provided legal assistance through 24-hour consular hotlines and consular camps.

Similarly, there are 314 Pakistanis in the jails of UK for varied reasons like drug trafficking, illegal immigration to money laundering and robbery.

According to British law, he said, the representatives of the High Commission (Community Welfare Counsellor) could only meet the prisoners with their consent. The consular officer of the High Commission also visits Pakistanis in Detention Centres.

Similarly, 523 Pakistanis are in Afghan jails and Pakistani embassy is in contact with the Afghan government for their release.

He explained that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Afghanistan and wished to have friendly and cooperative relations on the basis of mutual trust, sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs of each other.

In addition to Pakistan embassy in Kabul, Mr Sherpao said, Consulates General offices in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-i-Shareef were also functioning.

"Our missions in Afghanistan are functioning satisfactorily and we are not considering any proposal to open additional consulates in that country," he said.

The house was told that out of 191 member states of United Nations, Pakistan have foreign missions in 79 countries only, while it has no resident missions in 112 countries.

Explaining the reason, the minister said, opening of any resident mission was driven by some important parameters like level of close and friendly bilateral relations, trade and investment cooperation, cultural and religious affinities, size of Pakistani community, geographical proximity, reciprocal representation, regional and international standing of the host country and its impact on Pakistan's security and foreign policy concerns.

Besides, maintenance of a resident mission in a foreign country has deep financial implications. Therefore, Pakistan missions are opened on a prioritized pattern in order to achieve maximum advantage within the limited resources.

He said, Pakistan has 48 embassies/high commissions in rented buildings in different countries for which an amount of Rs14.1 million ($245,423) was paid monthly.

About the 12th Saarc summit held in Islamabad during early January, the minister said around 207 foreign guests including the heads of state/government, foreign ministers, foreign secretaries, spouses of the dignitaries, high officials and security staff came to Pakistan during the conference. However, 13 members from each Saarc delegation were extended local hospitality by the government while Rs22 million was spent on accommodation, food, transport and protocol of foreign guests during the summit, he said.