Lahore High Court Advocates Protection Policy For Pakistani Prisoners Abroad
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has voiced its disappointment regarding the government’s inability to enforce a comprehensive and effective protection policy for Pakistani natives imprisoned abroad.
On hearing a petition filed by a number of relatives of nationals detained in Saudi Arabia, LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah scrutinized the Federal Ministry’s silence on the matter. While expressing his discomfort the Chief Justice also exclaimed that the government has seemed to adopt a ‘no policy’ policy with regard to its citizens imprisoned in Arab countries.
On this, the federal Law Minister stated that the government could only give guidelines to those detained abroad and ensure their accessibility to the embassy. CJ Mansoor, however, was of the view that the government at least make its position clear regarding the matter and attempt on devising a protection policy by the 26th of April 2017.
Advocate Sameer Khosa had previously mentioned how the government could adopt several measures to protect its citizens from the mistreatment they were receiving abroad. These included strategic backlashes, recalling ambassadors and providing the finances needed to carry out necessary operations.
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