ISLAMABAD, SEPT 2 /DNA/ – The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, dismissed recent claims about 40,000 Pakistani pilgrims disappearing in Iraq, declaring the matter a myth.
During the meeting, Senator Raja Nasir Abbas informed the committee that he personally raised the issue with the Iraqi leadership. “I met the Prime Minister of Iraq, and he called it wrong. I also spoke to the Minister of Religious Affairs of Pakistan, who confirmed it was a mistake,” Senator Abbas clarified.
Officials from the Ministry of Interior briefed the committee that only 27 Pakistanis were caught in Iraq, while a total of 30 out of 81 Pakistanis remain under trial.
Senator Raja Nasir Abbas strongly criticized the treatment of Pakistani citizens abroad. “The passports of Pakistanis are kept at airports in various countries including Iraq. This is a great insult to Pakistani citizens, and the government must take notice. Such treatment is not even meted out to Afghan citizens,” he remarked. Ministry officials assured him the matter would be taken up at the highest level.
The committee was also briefed on the status of Pakistani prisoners abroad. Ministry of Interior officials revealed that *21,647 Pakistanis are imprisoned in different countries—with more than **13,000 under trial* and over *8,000 convicted.*
Senator Khanzada noted the urgency of the situation and stressed institutional coordination. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the committee that after the committee meeting instructions, it has decided to form an *inter-ministerial committee on prisoners*, which will include ambassadors and officials from relevant ministries. Letters have already been sent to all Pakistani embassies and missions worldwide.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative will proceed in phases:
* *Phase One:* Meetings with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
* *Phase Two:* Engagement with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia.
* *Phase Three:* Consultations with the United Kingdom and European Union countries.
The committee was informed that *Community Welfare Attachés have begun visiting prisons abroad* to meet Pakistani detainees. However, Senator Nasir Butt pointed out gaps, saying, “No one visits Pakistanis imprisoned in jails.” Officials responded that such visits have only recently started.
Chairman Zeeshan Khanzada directed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to present a full report on the *funds allocated for legal and welfare support to imprisoned Pakistanis* in the next meeting. “This is the first initiative for Details of funds and expenditure and it should must be provided,” he emphasized.
On migration issues, officials revealed that there are *294 legal avenues* for Pakistanis to travel to European Union countries, with student visas given priority. They noted that nearly *50 percent of Pakistanis going to Italy travel legally, while 50 percent resort to illegal routes.*
The committee expressed grave concern over reports that many citizens pay as much as *Rs 7 million* to leave Pakistan illegally. “We must improve the system,” committee members urged, while highlighting that “educated youth going abroad are running businesses and contributing significantly.”
The chairman committee also inquired on the arrangements made for the acquisition of Russian language for visas to Belarus to which the Committee was informed that an agreement is to be finalised with the Allama Iqbal Open university on the 27th August 2025 through which applicant will be able to take online course for Russian language.
Earlier in the meeting,Senator Shahadat Awan, also recommended to give details on people convicted on smuggling he said it is seen that 65 percent cases are drug related and therefore called a detail briefing on smuggling of drug’s and relevant cases.
Senator Shahdat awan also sought details on special courts across the country established for overseas Pakistanis in subsequent meeting
The meeting also marked the participation of PTI’s newly elected Senator Faisal Javed who put forward his recommendations to brief on the Human Resource Development in the country and abroad in the subsequent meetings
The meeting was attended by Senators Shahdat Awan, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Gurdeep Singh, Nasir Mehmood, Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, Raja Nasir Abbas, Khalida Ateeb, Atta Ul Haq and Senator Faisal Javed. Senior officials of attached departments were also in attendance.
