March 27, 2003	Thursday	Muharram 23, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, March 26: Pakistan has signed an extradition treaty with Algeria to extend cooperation in fight against terrorism and transnational crimes.

The treaty has been singed by Interior Minister Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, who is currently in Algeria on an official visit, and Algerian minister for Justice Muhammad Charfi, an official of the ministry told Dawn on Wednesday.

The official said Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika had expressed the hope that the pact would institutionalise bilateral cooperation in confronting the global challenges of terrorism and transnational crimes.

The interior minister also called on the Algerian president and delivered a massage of President Pervez Musharraf. During the meeting, which lasted for four hours, the two sides discussed bilateral and international issues, especially war in Iraq.

The two leaders expressed the hope that the treaty would help address mutual security concerns and pave the way to strengthen the existing cooperation in various fields, including security.

The meeting between the Algerian president and Pakistani interior minister was followed by lunch which was attended by ministers and senior officials of the state.

The interior minister also called on his Algerian counterpart and minister for justice and other senior officials, and discussed issues of mutual interest.