ISLAMABAD: Foreign Affairs Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday said that the government will increase the number of community welfare officers in the foreign countries where overseas Pakistanis are currently living in a large number so that their issues are resolved timely.
Replying to a question in the National Assembly (NA), the minister said that with the increase of community welfare officers, the issues of overseas Pakistanis could be addressed in a better way.
He said that the government will make efforts for detained Pakistanis in Saudi Arab and Spain.
Additionally, he said that the total number of Pakistanis imprisoned in the jails of Spain was 177 at present, with the most common charges being drug trafficking, financial fraud, robbery and theft.
He stated that an officer and official from the Mission and Community Welfare Attaches in Pakistan’s Consulate General in Barcelona were specially deputed to give consular access to Pakistani prisoners in Spain.
He also said that as soon as the missions are informed by local authorities about any Pakistani prisoner, the team visits the jail and provides consular access. “The mission tries to ensure maximum facilitation to these Pakistanis,” he informed.