ISLAMABAD: Fifty-six Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka for several years are being brought back to Pakistan on a chartered plane, on Sunday.

In a meeting with Pri­me Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore, the interior minister briefed him on the return of 56 Paki­stani prisoners from Sri Lanka. He said federal minister Abdul Aleem Khan was willing to bear all the expenses on the return of Pakistani prisoners.

The prime minister appreciated the efforts of both cabinet members for facilitating the return of the prisoners.

A chartered plane was earlier dispatched to bring the prisoners back to Pakistan, APP adds.

The repatriation was a result of three months of coordination between the interior ministry, under the direction of Mohsin Naqvi, and Sri Lankan authorities.

Mr Naqvi had tasked the ministry with facilitating the release and return of the Pakistani nationals. He expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan government and its high commissioner for their assistance in the matter.

He also thanked Minister Abdul Aleem Khan for generously taking on the financial responsibility of bringing the prisoners home.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Desperate measures
Updated 27 Dec, 2024

Desperate measures

Sadly in Pakistan, street protests and sit-ins have become the only resort to catch the attention of a callous power elite.
Economic outlook
27 Dec, 2024

Economic outlook

THE post-pandemic years, marked by extreme volatility in the global oil and commodity markets as well as slowing...
Cricket and visas
27 Dec, 2024

Cricket and visas

PAKISTAN has asserted that delay in the announcement of the schedule of next year’s Champions Trophy will not...
Afghan strikes
Updated 26 Dec, 2024

Afghan strikes

The military option has been employed by the govt apparently to signal its unhappiness over the state of affairs with Afghanistan.
Revamping tax policy
26 Dec, 2024

Revamping tax policy

THE tax bureaucracy appears to have convinced the government that it can boost revenues simply by taking harsher...
Betraying women voters
26 Dec, 2024

Betraying women voters

THE ECP’s recent pledge to eliminate the gender gap among voters falls flat in the face of troubling revelations...