UAE to release 572 Pakistani prisoners

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - The United Arab Emirates has announced to release 572 Pakistanis under the presidential amnesty scheme, an official said.

"In order to expedite their release and deportation to Pakistan, our mission is constantly in touch with the local authorities and is extending all necessary assistance including issuance of outpasses, passports and air tickets where required," Mohammad Faisal, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, told reporters in capital Islamabad.

The release is part of a royal order pardoning 3,005 prisoners serving sentences in the UAE as an act of kindness in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Some 2,409 Pakistani prisoners are languishing in UAE jails, the Foreign Office said.

In February this year, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman during his visit to Islamabad had also announced to release more than 2,000 Pakistani prisoners from Saudi jails. But they have yet to be released.

Pakistan's relationship with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are mainly based on economic ties with huge remittances sent every year by expat Pakistanis.

Recently, Saudi Arabia and UAE have also announced a $6-billion bailout package each for Pakistan to bring out the country from the current economic crises.