Around 8,000 Pakistani nationals are being held in the jails of different countries, including 386 in neighbouring India, officials said today.

Briefing the Senate's Standing Committee on the Interior Ministry, officials of the Foreign Ministry said the charges against the Pakistanis ranged from terrorism, murder, illegal stay, rape, smuggling to theft and visa violations.

Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries holding Pakistanis, with 1,920 prisoners. It is followed by the United Arab Emirates, where 800 Pakistanis have been incarcerated.

The number of Pakistanis in India jails is 386, the officials said. Most of them have been charged with violation of visa and immigration laws.