The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the National Assembly that 3,523 Pakistani nationals were imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during 2025, while thousands received legal assistance and a significant number were released through clemency measures. The information was shared in official data submitted to the House, outlining the scale of consular challenges faced by Pakistani missions in the UAE.
According to the ministry, 1,050 Pakistani prisoners were held in prisons and rehabilitation centers in Abu Dhabi alone. Pakistani diplomatic missions across the UAE provided legal assistance and counselling to 769 prisoners up to November 2025, covering both civil and criminal cases, as part of ongoing efforts to support detained citizens.
During the first three quarters of the year, embassy and consular officials carried out 276 visits to prisons, immigration centers, and police stations to monitor cases and provide assistance. The ministry said it regularly submits clemency and pardon requests to UAE authorities, adding that 350 such applications were filed in 2025 on behalf of Pakistani prisoners.
As a result of these diplomatic efforts, 1,133 Pakistani prisoners were released during Ramadan on March 27, 2025, while another 766 gained freedom on Eid al-Adha on July 15, 2025. By the end of November 2025, Pakistani missions also issued 7,370 Emergency Travel Documents to distressed citizens, enabling their return home. The government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of overseas Pakistanis through sustained diplomatic engagement and consular support.
