Pakistan, UK agree to finalise agreements for repatriation of convicted citizens

ISLAMABAD, January 18: Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to finalize and sign at the earliest agreements for repatriation of convicted citizens and criminals. The understanding was reached at a meeting between Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and UK High Commissioner in Islamabad Christian Turner in Islamabad Tuesday. It was realized that the agreements are in the interest of both the countries and there is a need to accelerate progress in it. The two sides were also of the view that bilateral agreements will further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. They agreed that the extradition treaty should be signed immediately and is in the mutual interest of both countries. The two also agreed that these accords would help bilateral relations to grow and further strengthen. Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that Pakistan enjoys longstanding relations with Britain and they value their relationship with the Kingdom. “Pakistani-origin British citizens are our valuable asset and play their role in the promoting relations between the two countries,” he said. British High Commissioner Christian Turner said that they enjoy a friendly and multilateral relationship with Pakistan and lauded the role Pakistan played in the evacuation of foreigners and Afghan citizens from Afghanistan after a Taliban takeover. According to an earlier report, a draft of Pak-UK extradition treaty will be presented before the federal cabinet for final approval after more consultation with the United Kingdom. This was decided in a meeting of the special ministerial committee chaired by Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed. The committee decided to sign the extradition pact with the UK in the best interest of Pakistan. If Pakistan succeeds in signing this accord, it will join the club of over 100 countries that have such an agreement with the United Kingdom and both the countries can exchange convicted prisoners. However, the agreement will only allow the repatriation of those citizens who have been sentenced by the courts of law. -NNI