Bahrain-Pakistan Prisoner Pact

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini-Pakistani agreement allowing prisoners to serve custodial sentences in their home countries is to be debated by Shura Council members on Sunday.

The Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee has recommended approval in principle of the draft law ratifying the pact between Bahrain and Pakistan, attached to Decree No. 19 of 2026.

The agreement would give both countries a legal route to transfer convicted prisoners, while keeping court rulings in force under the laws of the state carrying out the sentence.

The committee said its review found no clash between the agreement and Bahrain’s Constitution. It added that the treaty needs a law before taking effect in Bahrain, under Article 37, paragraph two, of the Constitution.

The pact spells out the terms, steps and legal effects of transferring prisoners between the two countries. It also gives the Bahraini and Pakistani authorities a set way to deal with criminal judgments after a transfer.

The committee said the measure would help ease practical difficulties linked to non-citizens serving jail terms, while ensuring the sentence continues under the law of the receiving state.