Pakistani Prisoners in Malaysia Could Come Home Following New Treaty

Pakistan and Malaysia have decided to sign an international treaty for the exchange of prisoners, according to an official document from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. Malaysia has shared the draft agreement with Pakistani authorities, outlining the legal framework for transferring convicted individuals between the two countries. Following the treaty’s implementation, Pakistani prisoners currently serving sentences in Malaysia will have the option to complete their remaining jail terms in Pakistan. This step aims to address concerns related to the legal and humanitarian rights of Pakistani inmates in Malaysian prisons. The agreement will also allow these prisoners to reunite with their families in Pakistan. Official data reveals that 384 Pakistani nationals are currently incarcerated in various Malaysian prisons. Their charges range from murder, sexual offenses, and human trafficking to blasphemy-related crimes. Additionally, several Pakistani prisoners have been convicted for drug possession, immigration violations, theft, and other criminal activities. Meanwhile, Malaysia continues to be a key destination for Pakistani workers. Over the past three years, 125,000 Pakistanis have traveled to Malaysia for employment, with the number rising from 25,000 in 2022 to 150,000 in 2025. In 2023, Malaysia was ranked as the fifth-largest country employing Pakistani manpower. The majority of these workers, approximately 98%, are engaged in general labor across construction, manufacturing, plantation, and agricultural sectors. The Pakistani High Commission in Malaysia is actively working to create job opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers. As a result of diplomatic efforts, Malaysia has started recruiting Pakistani nurses through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC). The recruitment of skilled manpower was also discussed during the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit to Pakistan, marking a shift toward specialized employment opportunities for Pakistani professionals in Malaysia.