ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that the agreement with the United Kingdom is crucial and will pave the way for high-profile suspects to be repatriated back to Pakistan.
He said the agreement will pave the way to bring back accused including Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, former finance minister Ishaq Dar, and Hussain and Hasan Nawaz, the sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Ishaq Dar has been declared a proclaimed offender by the courts for failing to appear in several corruption enquiries. Hussain and Hasan Nawaz have also been declared fugitives in the Avenfield reference case.
Earlier this week, the Britain government had reportedly refused to deport Ishaq Dar stating that there is no extradition treaty between Islamabad and London for the exchange of wanted criminals or suspects.
It stated said that the government of Pakistan should instead submit a formal application to grant the request. Meanwhile, the passport and other travel documents of Dar had been revoked.
Agreement reached on repatriation
The matter was raised during a meeting of British Home Secretary Sajid Javid with Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday.
Addressing a press conference with Law Minister Farogh Naseem, the British home secretary said an agreement had been reached to curb money laundering and repatriate assets stashed away by Pakistanis in the UK.
Both counties agreed will make efforts afresh to tackle money laundering and help Islamabad bring the assets stashed away by Pakistanis in the UK back.They also agreed to work towards repatriation of assets as well as accused persons after an approval from the respective cabinets.
He said money laundering results in low recovery of taxes and has played havoc on Pakistan’s economy. He maintained that the UK will work with Islamabad to eradicate terrorism.
The British home secretary said the both governments will also work towards exchanging prisoners in future.
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