Pakistan, Malaysia agree on prisoner exchange treaty

Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed 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 provided Pakistani authorities with a draft of the agreement, which outlines the legal framework for transferring convicted individuals between the two nations.

Once the treaty is implemented, Pakistani prisoners currently serving sentences in Malaysia will have the option to complete their remaining prison terms in Pakistan. This move aims to address concerns regarding the legal and humanitarian rights of Pakistani inmates in Malaysian prisons and facilitate their reunion with family members in Pakistan.

Official data indicates that 384 Pakistani nationals are currently incarcerated in various Malaysian prisons, facing charges ranging from murder, sexual offenses, and human trafficking to blasphemy-related crimes. Several Pakistani prisoners have also been convicted for drug possession, immigration violations, theft, and other criminal activities.

Meanwhile, Malaysia remains a major destination for Pakistani workers. In the past three years, 125,000 Pakistanis have traveled to Malaysia for employment, with the number rising from 25,000 in 2022 to an estimated 150,000 in 2025. In 2023, Malaysia ranked as the fifth-largest country employing Pakistani labor. Approximately 98% of these workers are employed in general labor positions 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 workers was also discussed during the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit to Pakistan, signaling a shift toward specialized employment opportunities for Pakistani professionals in Malaysia.