Confusion over Pakistanis jailed in Saudi Arabia for shouting slogans at Masjid-e-Nabwi

Madina: Samaa TV’s English language news website on Thursday reported that a Saudi court sentenced six Pakistanis to jail for disrespecting Masjid-e-Nabwi.

The website quoted Prime Minister’s Advisor on Interfaith Harmony as saying that three men were handed down 10 years imprisonment while three others got eight years in jail.

A fine of 20,000 Riyals was also imposed on the convicts.

Maulana Tahir Ashrafi’s statement created confusion as Saudi Gazette, a government owned English newspaper in Saudi Arabia, had reported in April 2022 that Madina police arrested five Pakistani nationals for shouting slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation in the courtyard of the prophet mosque.

The newspaper had cited local authorities in its report on the incident.

The only thing that lent credence to Maulana Tahir Ashrafi’s claim was the names of the six suspects.

According to Samaa TV, Ashrafi said the Pakistani convicts were identified as Anas, Irshad and Muhammad Saleem, Khawaja Luqman, Muhammad Afzala and Ghulam Muhammad.

Saudi authorities and local media have not yet reported the sentencing of Pakistani nationals.