Pakistan Association in Dubai helps 71 prisoners fly home

Seventy-one inmates at Ajman central prison will finally be reunited with their families in their home countries, thanks to the humanitarian initiative of Pakistan Association in Dubai (PAD).
The PAD paid for their air tickets and minor fines so that their release orders can be issued. The prisoners of different nationalities are currently undergoing Covid-19 tests and, once they receive negative results, they will be able to travel home, Rizwan Fancy, director of community welfare at PAD, told Khaleej Times.
"Since PAD cares about the social welfare not of only Pakistani expatriates but also people in need from other nationalities, we not only arranged for the release of Pakistani prisoners. We managed to help in the release of 37 prisoners from other nationalities as well," Fancy said.
Out of the 71 inmates, 34 are from Pakistan; six each from India and Ethiopia; 13 from Bangladesh; four from Iran; one each from Iraq and Cameroon; four from Nigeria; and two from Somalia.
The initiative was not the first for PAD. Mohsin Al Banna, general-secretary of the association, said they have been participating in prisoner release programmes over the past few years.
"We take immense pride in serving the forgotten members of the community. Every year, we repatriate our fellow nationals as well as people of some other nationalities who sought our help. Without any second thoughts, we went out of our way and ensured support for all those deserving help. At PAD, we work on the principles of social cohesion and tolerance and promote it through our every activity," Al Banna said.
Those who benefitted from the latest drive were involved in either petty crimes or cases such as bounced cheques and those caught working illegally on visit visas, he said.
The association has also been reaching out to low-income families and individuals who were hit hard by the financial challenges arising from the pandemic.
"We have conducted a food distribution drive where food packs were given to tens of thousands of people of all nationalities since early April. This was followed by the 'Tech Drive' campaign that we launched in May 9, where we distributed laptops and iPads to 75 families to help students stay connected with their teachers and peers during their distance learning programme," Al Banna said.
 
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