ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: The federal government has deported 41 Bangladeshi prisoners from various jails in Punjab and Sindh, the Deputy Attorney General told the Supreme Court of Pakistan here on Tuesday.

Fifteen other Bangladehi prisoners have already been shifted to Karachi for deportation, Deputy Attorney General Nasir Saeed Sheikh informed the apex court.

Mr Sheikh submitting a detailed report about the deportation of foreigners imprisoned in various jails of the country.

The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad.

Giving details about the remaining 42 Bangladeshi prisoners, out of 98, the Deputy Attorney General told the bench that they could not be deported so far due to non-availability of travelling documents and air-tickets.

The government of Pakistan is in contact with the government of Bangladesh and the remaining Bangladeshi prisoners will be deported after receiving travelling documents and air-tickets, he said.

However, all of them have been given consular access, Mr Sheikh said, adding that 15 Bangladeshi prisoners were shifted to Karachi, on the request of the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in Islamabad, after issuance of travel documents. As soon as the air-tickets are provided, they will be repatriated without delay, he added.

The bench directed the federal government to make arrangements to deport all foreign prisoners except Indians and those who were involved in drug-trafficking or other heinous crimes.

The Supreme Court had taken up the case on an application submitted by 13 Bangladeshi prisoners, who had completed their sentences.

“These prisoners are from Nigeria beside other countries including Kenya. Some of them have already been deported through their embassies,” the Deputy Attorney General said while responding to a question regarding nationality of other 33 prisoners.—APP