What happens if you are arrested abroad as a Pakistani? How would your family cope with the loss of their loved one, waiting for years, unsure if they’ll ever see you again? What efforts should the government put in to ensure your return?
JPP presents #WeMatter — a multi-dimensional campaign highlighting the struggles of Pakistanis Jailed Abroad and focusing on what their families go through back home. The campaign explores the experiences of overseas prisoners and their families through various lenses.
Take A Tour: Visit our virtual gallery
Support the cause and tweet using our hashtag #WeMatter
Why This Campaign?
Pakistanis imprisoned abroad are at the mercy of local courts without access to lawyers, impartial translators, or adequate consular assistance from the Pakistani diplomatic missions. These destitute Pakistanis face the harshest punishments due to their lack of understanding of and assistance with the legal process, incapability to communicate directly with the court, and inability to produce evidence from Pakistan in their defense.
Encouraged by the state, millions of Pakistanis emigrate to foreign lands to seek better opportunities, particularly in the Gulf countries – the choice of 96.15% of Pakistan’s expat workforce. Pakistan is counted amongst the countries that rely heavily on foreign remittances for economic stability and foreign reserves. However, despite its dependence on foreign remittances from migrant workers, Pakistan must do more to protect these vulnerable citizens from landing in foreign jails.
The Government of Pakistan has an obligation, under the Constitution and international law, to protect the fundamental rights of its citizens detained abroad. According to official estimates, there are over 9,200 Pakistani citizens languishing in jails across the world, with the highest number in Saudi Arabia (2,555), United Arab Emirates (1,918), Oman (309), India (345), Greece (884), Italy (291), United Kingdom (273), Afghanistan (395), and China (242).