The Pakistani Foreign Office announced on Tuesday that 54 Pakistanis detained in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province will be repatriated without facing any legal charges. This development offers significant relief to the detainees, who were at risk of prosecution under Cambodia’s recently enacted “Law on Combating Online Scams,” effective from 7 April 2026.
The legislation imposes severe penalties, including heavy fines and long prison terms, on individuals involved in cyber-fraud activities. In a significant development, the release of these individuals follows a vigorous diplomatic campaign led by the Pakistan Embassy in Cambodia. Acting under directives from the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, embassy officials engaged with Cambodian authorities to safeguard the detainees’ welfare and negotiate their early repatriation.
Officials confirmed that the Cambodian government agreed to waive all legal proceedings against the 54 Pakistanis as a goodwill gesture. The embassy is now working closely with local authorities to arrange immediate flights for their return to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the arrests are part of a wider crackdown by Cambodian authorities targeting organized “scam centres,” where foreign nationals are often deceived by fraudulent job offers and coerced into participating in global internet scams. Although some individuals may be complicit, human rights organizations have raised concerns about migrant workers being held against their will under strict control.
Reports indicate that more than 200 Pakistanis remain entangled in Cambodia’s growing cyber-fraud network. This latest repatriation marks a crucial step toward addressing the exploitation and vulnerability of migrant workers in the region.
