Amnesty International Report: Over 150 Pakistani Nationals Executed in Saudi Arabia for Drug Offenses
A recent report by Amnesty International has revealed that 155 Pakistani nationals have been executed in Saudi Arabia for drug-related offenses over the past 10 years, raising serious concerns about the treatment of foreign workers and international legal standards.
Key Findings from the Report
The report highlights that from January 2014 to June 2025, Saudi Arabia carried out 1,816 executions, with 597 of those related to drug offenses. Of these, a significant majority—nearly 75%—were foreign nationals, including citizens from:
-
Pakistan
-
Syria
-
Yemen
-
Nigeria
-
Egypt
Among those executed for drug-related charges, 155 were Pakistanis, making Pakistan one of the most affected countries.
Rising Execution Rates in Recent Years
Saudi Arabia has seen a sharp increase in executions in recent years:
-
345 executions were carried out in 2024—one of the highest annual totals in recent history.
-
In the first six months of 2025, 180 executions have already taken place, including 46 in June alone.
-
In June 2025, 37 individuals were executed for drug-related offenses, 34 of whom were foreign nationals, including citizens of Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, and Somalia.
Concerns Raised by Amnesty International
The report documents troubling trends involving the treatment of foreign nationals in the Saudi justice system:
-
Lack of legal representation and consular support
-
Allegations of forced confessions through torture or ill-treatment
-
Families informed of executions via unofficial channels
-
Denial of the right to bury executed relatives, a practice criticized by UN bodies
Amnesty International stresses that drug offenses do not meet the threshold for the death penalty under international human rights law, and has called for:
-
An immediate moratorium on executions in Saudi Arabia
-
The abolition of the death penalty
-
The commutation of all existing death sentences
Final Thoughts
This report brings global attention to the ongoing use of capital punishment for non-violent crimes in Saudi Arabia and raises urgent questions about human rights protections for migrant workers, particularly those from Pakistan and other developing countries.
For updates on international human rights and legal developments affecting Pakistani nationals abroad, stay connected with ProPakistani.
