Pakistan is currently engaged in increasing friendship with the Muslim country Saudi. Recently, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met Pakistan Army Chief in Riyadh on Sunday. Asim Munir Awarded King Abdulaziz Medal (First Class). SPA said that this award was given to Field Marshal Asim Munir under the royal orders of King Salman. This medal has been given in honor of Field Marshal Munir's efforts in strengthening Saudi-Pakistani friendship, furthering joint cooperation and developing relations between the two countries. On one hand, Saudi has given the award to Asim Munir. On the other hand, two Pakistanis have been hanged in the country.
The number of people sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia this year has increased compared to last year. According to the data, at least 347 people have been sentenced to death so far this year, whereas last year the number was 345. In this, two Pakistanis have also been given death sentence.
These figures have been released by Britain-based organization Reprieve, which monitors the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. Reprieve says that 2025 will be the bloodiest year ever in terms of executions in Saudi Arabia.
According to the information, two Pakistanis have also been hanged in the country. Action has been taken against these Pakistani citizens regarding drugs. Both these people were convicted by the courts of Saudi Arabia in cases of drug possession. After the court's decision, he was given death sentence. However, the names of these two Pakistanis have not been revealed.
Those sentenced to death this year include a journalist and two young men. Apart from this, 5 women have also been given death penalty. However, according to Reprieve, about two-thirds of people have been convicted in drug-related cases in which no one died. The United Nations has described death penalty in such cases as against international norms and standards.
More than half of these people were foreign nationals, who were allegedly hanged as part of Saudi Arabia's war against drugs. A few days ago, a young Egyptian fisherman, Issam al-Shajal, was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.
Issam al-Shazli was arrested off the coast of Saudi Arabia in 2021 and accused of drug trafficking. Human Rights Watch has expressed deep concern about the large-scale use of death penalty. According to human rights activists, the highest number of people have been hanged in recent years in China and Iran.
According to the organization Reprieve, the families of people who are sentenced to death are usually not given any information in advance. Neither the bodies are handed over to the family nor is it told where they are buried.
Saudi officials do not give official information about the method of execution. However, it is believed that the punishment there is either by beheading (in public) or by firing squad.
