ISLAMABAD: Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), in collaboration with the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR), marked International Migrants Day 2025 with a panel discussion highlighting the challenges faced by overseas Pakistani prisoners. Speakers underscored the urgent need to strengthen and codify Pakistan’s consular protection framework to safeguard citizens abroad.
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The discussion brought together parliamentarians, government officials, human rights institutions, legal experts, and civil society representatives. Participants reviewed existing consular practices, identified systemic gaps, and emphasized rights-based reforms to ensure timely legal assistance for Pakistanis detained overseas.
Senator Zeeshan Khanzada said the proposed Consular Protection Bill aims to deliver consistent and effective protection to Pakistanis held abroad. He expressed optimism that the legislation would gain cross-party support and urged stakeholders to work collectively to reduce vulnerabilities faced by migrant detainees.
Director General of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (LAJA), Adil Anwar, shared comparative models of cross-border legal aid. He cited arrangements between the Malaysian Bar and the Thai Embassy, where state-backed cooperation has enabled meaningful legal representation for foreign nationals.
Khadija Akthar from the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) highlighted OPF’s role as the primary body addressing complaints from overseas Pakistanis. She stressed the importance of improved coordination between public institutions and private stakeholders to ensure faster responses and better outcomes.
Advocate High Court Suleman Zeb, who has represented more than 100 repatriated Pakistani prisoners from Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia, drew attention to procedural barriers. He noted that many detainees lack understanding of foreign legal systems and court languages, often resulting in unfair trials.
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Panelists concluded that a codified consular framework, stronger inter-agency coordination, and awareness among migrants are critical. They called for sustained political will to translate policy discussions into enforceable protections for Pakistanis beyond borders.