Saudi Crown Prince gifts prisoners' release to India as well

ISLAMABAD – While Pakistani nationals released from Saudi prisoners have started returning home, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has ordered the release of Indian prisoners from Saudi Arabian jails as well.

The Saudi crown prince issued the royal decree of the release of 850 Indian prisoners languishing in Saudi jails upon the request of their Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Another big deliverable!

At the request of the PM @narendramodi, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has ordered the release of 850 Indian prisoners lodged in Saudi jails. pic.twitter.com/jIVTCbIRLa

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) February 20, 2019

According to the spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs, the Saudi crown prince has also announced increasing the quota for Indian Hajj pilgrims by 2 lac persons upon the request of PM Modi.

And another important take away from the visit of #SaudiCrownPrince which would help more Indian pilgrims to perform the Haj

His Royal Highness the #SaudiCrownPrince announced the increase in quota for Indian Haj pilgrims to 200,000 at the request of PM @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/FrPR3hc2eD

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 20, 2019

Meanwhile, the Pakistani nationals released from Saudi prisoners have started returning home following Mohammed bin Salman’s order made during his first official state visit to Pakistan.

Saudi Prince Salman orders release of 2,107 ... 12:58 PM | 18 Feb, 2019

ISLAMABAD - Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman on Monday ordered the release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi ...

Five Pakistani nationals reached home Thursday after being released from the Saudi jails.

A total of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners are being held in Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had raised the issue of Pakistani prisoners detained in Saudi jails during his meeting with the crown prince.

The crown prince on Sunday started his tour of South Asia and China with a two-day visit to Pakistan, where Riyadh and Islamabad signed agreements worth $20 billion.