ISLAMABAD: The announcement by the UAE that hundreds of Pakistanis imprisoned in the country will be reunited with their families this Eid has been welcomed by Justice Project Pakistan (JPP).

The UAE announced on Friday that 572 Pakistani prisoners will be released as part of amnesty granted by President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

According to the statement, JPP also appreciated the Foreign Office’s statement of complete cooperation by the government to expedite the release of Pakistanis from the UAE.

The announcement was the result of rigorous diplomatic engagement by the government. It shows that foreign governments are willing to respond when Pakistani authorities raise the issue of its citizens, it said.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Imran Khan had raised the issue of Pakistanis imprisoned in Saudi Arabia with the visiting crown prince, who had promised the immediate release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners.

The government has yet to inform the families awaiting their relatives about the details of these prisoners. Last month, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan told parliament that the 2,107 Pakistanis will be repatriated in Ramazan, but no information has been made public about the steps taken so far.

JPP has asked for the urgent return of these Pakistanis to their families.

According to official figures, more than 11,000 Pakistani citizens are imprisoned around the world, with Saudi Arabia detaining the highest number — 3,400 — followed by 2,600 prisoners in the UAE.

“JPP is concerned with the fact that despite this largest repatriation ever from the Emirates, there are still more than 2000 Pakistanis waiting for an act of mercy. We hope that the government of Pakistan will continue its mission to protect the rights of Pakistanis imprisoned in foreign jails,” the statement said.

JPP Executive Director Sarah Belal said: “This is a diplomatic win. The foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and the special assistant to the prime minister Zulfi Bukhari have brought hope and joy to more than 11,000 families waiting for their loved ones to return home. Now the government has to ensure the safe and immediate return of these prisoners to Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2019