LHC Orders FM Asif to Decide UAE Detention Pleas in 15 Days

News Desk
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to process and decide representations concerning the detention of two PTI-affiliated Pakistani citizens in the United Arab Emirates within 15 days.
Justice Sadiq Mahmud Khurram issued the written orders following separate petitions filed by the families of Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir through their legal counsel, Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi.
According to court documents, Syed Salman Raza Zaidi went missing from his Sharjah residence on September 27, 2024, before being taken into custody by UAE authorities. His wife, Faryal Zainab, informed the bench that despite nearly two years passing, she has received no clear information regarding the charges, judicial proceedings, or sentences.
In the second case, Muhammad Ibrahim stated that his son, Muhammad Junaid Jahangir, was detained at Dubai airport on September 24, 2024, upon returning from Saudi Arabia, with the federal government allegedly failing to intervene adequately.
The legal challenge highlights growing concerns regarding consular access and the protection of overseas Pakistanis, particularly those associated with political figures or parties.
Families of detained expatriates frequently navigate complex diplomatic and legal voids when attempting to secure information or legal representation from foreign jurisdictions, underscoring the vital oversight role expected from domestic foreign service ministries.
The Foreign Office is now mandated to review the representations and formulate a formal decision within the stipulated 15-day timeframe.
Legal experts anticipate that the directive will compel federal authorities to engage more proactively with UAE counterparts to ascertain the welfare, legal standing, and due process rights of the detained Pakistani nationals.