By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed and British High Commissioner Christian Turner discussed on Tuesday finalizing an extradition treaty between the two countries at the earliest.
The two high-ups reviewed the process in a meeting yesterday in Islamabad, wherein they also discussed bilateral ties and matters of mutual interest.
Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister said the two countries enjoyed strong and profound ties, saying Pakistan gained great benefit from the security advice given by the UK.
On the matter of extradition, the minister said, “It is unfortunate that those who deprive poor nations of their wealth seek refuge in larger countries.”
Rasheed added that “steps should be taken to ensure the criminals don’t find refuge anywhere in the world.”
Reciprocating, the British high commissioner expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s internal security. Turner stressed the need to expedite measures to boost trade between the two countries.
He observed that trade and tourism will witness an uplift with the British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operating in the country. In a media talk late last year, Rasheed had acknowledged that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former finance minister Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan was not in the government’s hands, as the country did not have an extradition treaty with Britain.
Sharif, who was declared absconder by a court earlier this year, has been residing in London since late 2019 after he was granted a four-week permission to travel abroad for his medical treatment.
Dar had also been declared an absconder following his repeated absence from hearing of cases pending against him. He is also currently residing in London.
