Nepal has expressed its gratitude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for granting pardon to 267 Nepali inmates there.

"The Government of Nepal conveys its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the pardon so generously granted to the 267 Nepali inmates on the auspicious occasion of the 54th National Day (Eid Al Etihad) of the UAE," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release today.

The Government of Nepal highly values the friendly and humanitarian gesture of pardon as the manifestation of friendship, goodwill and cordiality in the existing bilateral relations between Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, it added.

According to the Ministry, the decision of the pardon was taken by the government of the UAE in response to the repeated requests made by the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi as per the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The press release stated that the pardoned Nepali citizens, provided they have no other pending legal cases or restrictions, will be able to return to Nepal upon completion of the requisite legal procedures as stipulated by the prevailing laws of the UAE.