Wafaqi Mohtasib Syed Tahir Shahbaz has taken notice on a complaint regarding Pakistanis held in Turkish jails.
Human Rights & Welfare Trust Islamabad filed a complaint with the Wafaqi Mohtasib requesting him to take action on a news item regarding a sizeable number of Pakistanis languishing in Turkish jails. It complained that the Turkish government has decided to deport these Pakistanis but Pakistani government is not taking necessary steps to assist them.
The ombudsman has asked grievance commissioner for overseas Pakistanis to take notice of the issue. Grievance Commissioner for Overseas Pakistanis Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmed Khokhar has issued a notice to the ministry of foreign affairs asking them to provide details of steps taken for legal and counselor access to Pakistani prisoners in Turkey, including the data of prisoners in Turkish jails. He also directed the ministry to provide by the details of steps taken by the Foreign Office and Pakistan embassy in Ankara for the release of Pakistani prisoners in Turkey by March 7.
Published in Daily Times, February 21st 2019.