ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: About 3,500 Pakistanis languishing in jails in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mostly on charges of illegal immigration, would be repatriated soon, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik said on Wednesday.

He told reporters before leaving for Rahim Yar Khan, along with President Asif Ali Zardari, to meet the visiting UAE President, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that the Gulf state had decided to repatriate the prisoners who would complete their terms in Pakistani jails.

This decision was taken by officials of the two countries here on Wednesday. The UAE team was led by Col Jamal Said and Mr Malik represented Pakistan.

It was decided that the prisoners’ identity would be verified by the National Database and Registration Authority.

A ban on visits by relatives of the prisoners to the UAE will be lifted gradually.

The prisoners will arrive by chartered planes in a few days.

The two countries will sign a memorandum of understanding in this connection.