ABU DHABI: Accepting a special request from Pakistan, the UAE government has released more than 325 Pakistani prisoners in the holy month of Ramadan.
This information was shared by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi at an Iftar dinner hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan for the country’s professionals — pilots, engineers, doctors, teachers, lawyers, etc — working in Abu Dhabi.
While thanking the UAE government for the kind gesture, Tirmizi especially praised President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his compassion.
Providing details, Ambassador Tirmizi said that the embassy wrote to the UAE government with a request for the release of prisoners held in jails for minor crimes. “Our request was accepted and orders for their release made,” he said.
He added that the Pakistani authorities were in touch with the UAE government to ensure that the process of repatriation is carried out smoothly.
Ambassador Tirmizi hoped that the released prisoners will celebrate Eid with their families at home.
For the first time in a number of years, a Pakistani ambassador visited inmates when Tirmizi went to Watabah Jail in Abu Dhabi and had Iftar with the prisoners. He also discussed issues being faced by Pakistani prisoners with the Emirati authorities.
The envoy said that efforts are being made to provide legal services to Pakistanis but there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Ambassador Tirmizi said the doors of the diplomatic mission are open to the Pakistani community.
He requested the lawyers to give assistance to diplomatic missions in providing legal services and the doctors to organise a free medical camp for labourers in Abu Dhabi.
The doctors present immediately responded to the request and vowed that they will organise a free medical camp soon.
The ambassador also wants the quality of education in Pakistani schools to improve and urged the educationists in Abu Dhabi to come forward and play their role in this regard.
Tirmizi also emphasised on the need for a Pakistan Medical and Social Centre in the Emirates, saying that not only Pakistanis but also nationals of other countries can benefit from it.
