ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday instructed authorities to speed up efforts in the repatriation of Pakistanis imprisoned in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
During the hearing of a case pertaining to jailed citizens in Thailand and Sri Lanka, the additional attorney general said the government was negotiating for the repatriation of the prisoners.
“Thailand had asked US35,000 to return 19 imprisoned Pakistanis,” he said.
Following this the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar directed the government to arrange the required amount as soon as possible in order to help the prisoners.
The court adjourned hearing for a month.
In 2013, the government had paid Rs16 million for the release of approximately 271 Pakistanis – who were jailed despite completing their sentences due to non-payment of fines.
The Foreign Office had stated that 77 prisoners in Dubai were freed between May and June 2013 after payment of approximately Rs8.8 million.
