The National Assembly was informed today that all possible assistance and support are being provided to Pakistani detainees abroad.

Responding to a question during the Question Hour in the House, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistani missions abroad have dedicated sections that provide necessary support to Pakistani prisoners, including legal and financial assistance, to ensure their welfare.

He said the Mission representatives regularly visit the jails and ensure the well-being of all prisoners. The prisoners interact with the officers of the Missions during jail visits and register their complaints regarding food, medicine and hygiene, which are immediately discussed with the jail authorities. Contact details of officials, officers and Honorary Representatives of the Missions are provided to every jail. The Mission helps in arranging visits of the families of the prisoners. 

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry apprised that as soon as a Pakistani is apprehended by the law enforcement agencies, the date of arrest and the charges leveled against them are communicated to the Missions through official communication channels of the host Government. The Missions tabulate the information and a comprehensive databank of the same is maintained. He further added that at times, Pakistanis arrested in police stations are released because of the timely intervention of the Missions. Similarly, the Missions facilitate release and repatriation of Pakistanis detained and stranded at various airports of the host State.

Answering another question, the Minister said every effort is being made to secure the release of Pakistani hostages held by Somali pirates.

Replying to another question, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said no targeted or selective action is being taken against Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates.

Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal said the government is fully vigilant and taking all possible measures to control the spread of HIV.

He said drug use and the reuse or misuse of syringes are the major factors contributing to the spread of HIV and AIDS. He said over 300,000 people have been diagnosed as HIV positive.

The Minister highlighted that HIV is a curable disease and does not cause sudden death. He said patients suffering from HIV can live normal lives by taking proper medication, which is available at 98 ART centres across Pakistan. He added that patients undergoing treatment cannot transmit the virus and should therefore be treated with dignity and respect.

He said currently 84,000 people are registered with these centres and 61,000 of them are receiving treatment. He added that the government is planning to increase the number of ART centres in the country.

Highlighting the importance of HIV screening, Syed Mustafa Kamal said around 400,000 screenings have been conducted this year. He said the Ministry is also launching a comprehensive awareness campaign regarding the disease and its treatment.

Responding to various points raised by the opposition benches in the National Assembly, Law Minister Azam Nazeer said the government is ready to sit with the opposition on the issue of appointments against various constitutional positions.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in the very beginning of his government, had offered the opposition to sit on the dialogue table to sort out issues.

Reiterating the Prime Minister’s offer, Azam Nazeer Tarar said the opposition needs to create an enabling environment to address issues. He said the government will certainly respond if the opposition initiates the process for such appointments.

Meanwhile, the House passed “The Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025” and “The Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.”

Besides, several reports of the standing committees were presented in the National Assembly.

The House will now meet tomorrow at 11 in the morning.