The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis has disclosed that a total of 21,406 Pakistani nationals are currently imprisoned in 61 countries, based on official data obtained by ProPakistani. However, the report also highlights that 14 Pakistani embassies have yet to provide complete information, resulting in gaps in the overall figures.
Among the countries that have submitted data, Saudi Arabia has the highest number of incarcerated Pakistanis, with 10,423 individuals behind bars. It is followed by the United Arab Emirates with 5,297, and Turkey with 1,437.
In India, 738 Pakistani citizens are currently imprisoned. Other countries with significant numbers include Oman (578), Malaysia (463), Qatar (422), Sri Lanka (112), Afghanistan (85), and South Africa (75).
In the West, 65 Pakistanis are incarcerated in the United States — including Dr. Aafia Siddiqui — while the United Kingdom has 23, Australia 27, and Spain 42.
Several countries reported smaller numbers: Nepal (19), Denmark (21), Bulgaria (11), Iran (4), Iraq (40), and Bangladesh (1). Japan reported 16 Pakistani prisoners, though details of six individuals remain undisclosed due to privacy concerns.
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Some countries reported having no Pakistani prisoners at all, including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ghana, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Rwanda, Senegal, and Singapore.
France declined to provide figures, citing domestic privacy laws. The Ministry also noted that many Pakistani prisoners abroad — particularly in Saudi Arabia — remain in jail solely because they cannot afford to pay their fines.