Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts leads to release of 6 citizens in Kenya

ISLAMABAD: As a result of the diplomatic efforts of the Pakistani government, the Supreme Court of Kenya has ordered the release of six Pakistani citizens imprisoned for ten years in Kenya.

According to sources, these individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment in Nairobi on July 2, 2014. This decision to release is being called a major international success for Pakistan.

This case was of a political nature, which was the result of tension between various local and international political parties. During the trial, due to the language barrier, unavailability of translators, and lack of seriousness of the lawyers, the prisoners had to remain in jail for a decade.

Due to the personal interest and continuous efforts of the Pakistani High Commissioner to Kenya, Abrar Hussain Khan, the release of these Pakistanis was finally possible.

The prisoners are identified as Yousuf Yaqoob, Saleh Muhammad, Yaqoob Ibrahim, Ghafoor Bhatti, Salim Muhammad, and Mula Bakhsh.

According to details, these individuals were carrying white cement from Iran to the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar on board a ship “Amin Darya”. However, the Kenyan Navy intercepted them on the high seas on July 2, 2014, suspecting that they were smuggling drugs on board.

Sources have revealed that after seizing the ship, the Kenyan authorities blew it up at sea, which was said to be aimed at destroying possible evidence. The case was prolonged based on political motives behind the matter.

According to the decision of the Kenyan High Court on March 10, 2023, these citizens were sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of $300 million each, with further penalties imposed in case of non-payment.

According to diplomatic sources, the legal and diplomatic efforts made by Pakistan are being appreciated globally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed satisfaction with this decision, and steps have been taken for the early repatriation of these Pakistani citizens.