The Lahore High Court on Friday heard a petition pertaining to Pakistanis on death row in various middle eastern countries who are in urgent need of diplomatic assistance.

The hearing, presided over by Justice Ayesha A. Malik, reviewed an application filed by Justice Project Pakistan's Asma Shafi to highlight the issue.

Shafi has underscored the need for quick action in her petition, which states that Pakistanis in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, are being executed at an increasing rate. Over the past few weeks alone, nine Pakistanis have been executed, according to the petition.

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The application further highlights that it is the responsibility of the government to keep an eye on the trial proceedings of Pakistanis convicted abroad and assure they are carried out transparently. It is the fundamental right of every Pakistani prisoner to receive assistance on a diplomatic level, Shafi has asserted.

Shafi has pleaded to the court to issue orders to the government to provide diplomatic assistance to Pakistanis jailed abroad and to take into consideration their trial proceedings.

The hearing was adjourned until December 12.