RIYADH, Aug 17: With the return of poppy culture in Afghanistan, the number of Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia jails on drug-related charge has increased, sources said here.

Sources added that previously there used to be one or two Pakistani prisoners in the weekly list circulated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs to various embassies. Now, the number had gone up to five or six.

In Al-Khobar prison also there are roughly 20-25 Pakistani prisoners currently imprisoned on drug crimes.

Carrying drugs to Saudi Arabia and most of the Gulf Arab states carries capital punishment.

A number of Pakistanis, Afghans and Indians have lost their lives while attempting to smuggle heroin and other such drugs there.