Pakistan, KSA agree to implement treaty on release of prisoners

ISLAMABAD, February 7: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday agreed to implement a bilateral treaty on the release of Pakistanis jailed in the kingdom, an aide to the Pakistani prime minister said on Monday.
The statement comes during a day-long visit of the Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif to Islamabad, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and increasing connectivity between the interior ministries of both countries. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a prisoner transfer agreement in May 2021 to repatriate over 2,000 Pakistanis jailed in the kingdom.
Arab News reported that Tahir MahmoodAshrafi, Pakistani PM’s aide on the Middle East disclosed both countries had agreed to implement the prisoner release treaty. “The Saudi interior minister has assured of the implementation of all agreements, including the prisoners release treaty, signed between the two countries,” Ashrafi said.
“The interior ministries of both countries will work together for speedy implementation of the prisoner release agreement.” The prisoner transfer treaty between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was signed during PM Khan’s visit to the kingdom in May 2021. Saudi Arabia’s cabinet approved the agreement during a session, chaired by King Salman, on January 25, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The agreement allows Pakistani individuals convicted in Saudi Arabia, especially for minor offenses, to complete their terms at home. It also benefits prisoners languishing in Saudi jails for not being able to pay fines.
The Saudi interior minister also held a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, in Islamabad. The two officials agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and increase connectivity between the ministries of interior, the Pakistani ministry said in a statement after the meeting. It said the two ministers discussed issues of mutual interest, including the regional security situation, at the meeting. “Better liaison between the interior ministries of both countries was necessary to address different issues, including security challenges,” it added.
On the occasion, Prince Abdulaziz said relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were based on mutual trust and Islamic brotherhood, according to the statement.
Ahmed told his Saudi counterpart that Pakistan attached great importance to its historic and brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia.
He said more than two million Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia were their asset. “We are grateful to the Saudi government for the excellent care of Pakistani workers,” Ahmed added.
Earlier, the Saudi interior minister arrived in Islamabad along with a delegation, where he was received by his Pakistani counterpart at the Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi. -TLTP