As many as 56 Pakistani nationals imprisoned in Sri Lankan jails were repatriated on Monday as a result of successful efforts by the Pakistani Ministry of Interior.

A chartered plane was dispatched to bring the prisoners back to Pakistan. The repatriated Pakistani nationals include five women and 51 men. The repatriation followed three months of coordination between the Ministry of Interior, under the direction of Mohsin Naqvi and Sri Lankan authorities.

Speaking on the occasion, one of the repatriate women thanked the government for bringing them back to the country. Another repatriate said that he was happy to be back in Pakistan after undergoing difficult circumstances during their imprisonment in Sri Lanka.

Reacting to the return of Pakistani prisoners, Interior Minister Naqvi said that he is grateful to the Sri Lankan government and high commissioner for their role in the repatriation. 

He also thanked Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan for his generosity in bearing the expenses of the prisoners as a gesture of support.

It may be noted that the Ministry of Interior had been tasked by the security czar with facilitating the release and safe return of the Pakistani nationals. The return of these 56 Pakistani prisoners marks a significant humanitarian effort by the government, bringing relief to the families awaiting the return of their loved ones.

Source: The News International

--Agencies