Saudi government had reportedly denied a consular access to Zaid Hamid, a Pakistani analyst and commentator, who has been sentenced to eight years prison and 1,000 lashes by the Kingdom for allegedly delivering a provocative speech in the Holy city of Medina.
Sources privy to the development said that the Saudi authorities turned down a request by Pakistan Consul General in Jeddah, seeking access to Zaid Hamid and was not allowed to meet him. The Foreign Office last week stated that Zaid Hamid was arrested about two weeks ago in the Kingdom. Since then, the Embassy has been working with the local authorities to get consular access, Qazi Khalilullah, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office told his weekly press briefing last week. He said that due to the efforts of the Embassy, his wife was able to talk to him on June 23.
Zaid Hamid was reportedly sentenced for eight years in prison and 1,000 lashes by a Saudi court for criticising the Saudi government. However, there was no official word either to confirm his sentence and the denial of the consular access. Foreign Office spokesperson was not available for comments despite telephone calls and text messages.
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