ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal informed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has vowed to release 572 Pakistani prisoners languishing in their jails. Dr. Faisal, at a weekly press briefing, said the gesture is being made under an amnesty announced by the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, especially for Ramadan. “Subsequent to the order of the president of the UAE to pardon 3005 prisoners, serving sentences in different jails of the UAE under various categories, the government of the UAE has decided to release 572 Pakistani prisoners,” he said. Dr. Faisal added, “In order to expedite their release and deportation to Pakistan, our mission is constantly in touch with the local authorities and is extending all necessary assistance, including the issuance of outpasses/passports and air tickets, where required.” Some 2400 Pakistani nationals are languishing in eight UAE jails, for minor and major crimes, he added. Prisoners to be released will be as follows: 262 from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, 177 from Dubai, 52 from Sharjah, 65 from Ajman and 16 from Fujairah.