Saudi courts to have Urdu interpreters

Security investigation authorities will introduce Urdu interpretation services for Pakistani nationals in Saudi courts and in police investigations, according to Aftab Ahmed Khokar, the Pakistan consul general in Jeddah.
The new service allows Pakistanis under investigation in criminal matters to answer questions from investigators, lawyers and judges.
Khokar told Arab News on Saturday that with the introduction of Urdu interpretation service at the investigation and prosecution level, language problems will be eliminated.
He also said that introduction of Urdu interpretation service is critical for accused Pakistani nationals as well as Saudi investigation authorities.
He also said that Pakistan also requested Saudi Arabian authorities to provide an interpreter service prior to signing any confessions. The Pakistan consul general also said that prosecution authorities will also provide Urdu interpretation service.
He said that due to language problems some innocent Pakistani nationals arriving in Kingdom for Umrah face difficult times with law authorities.
The consul general said that 2,158 Pakistani nationals are in prison, including 1,358 in western and southern regions. About 670 Pakistani nationals are in custody in Jeddah, and 430 in Makkah.