Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
Pakistani, British officials discuss extradition, money laundering cases
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability (SAPM) Mirza Shahzad Akbar on Thursday called on UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid in London.
The two discussed issues of mutual interest, particularly those related to the provision of mutual legal assistance, extradition requests, prisoner transfer agreements and steps to curb money laundering as well as recovery of assets acquired through illegal means.
Akbar and Javid also discussed matters pertaining to assistance and support on technical matters, analytical advice and capacity building.
The SAPM also held meetings with other representatives of the UK Government, including Debbie Price, deputy chief crown prosecutor of the International Justice and Organized Crime Division, and Philomena Creffield, head of the UK Central Authority.
During the meetings, it was decided that the two countries will work closely at the operational level, enhance their collaboration in the area of information sharing and also reviewed progress on specific extradition requests made to the UK government.
Akbar also called on the British prime minister’s anti-corruption champion, MP John Penrose, at Portcullis House to discuss strategies to curb corruption and plug existing loopholes at home and abroad.
Later on, the SAPM visited the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where he was received by the UK Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Gareth Bayley.
The two discussed a wide range of bilateral issues and expressed their commitment to work closely together.
Bayley reiterated the British government’s commitment to support Pakistan in its resolve towards fighting corruption.
Comments (35) Closed
We need the immediate result, not just the photo ops session.
This is the second meeting between them, still the same talks. No breakthrough.
Nothing seems to be moving in right direction to recover stolen money of Pakistan. All are talking in air and nothing concrete to recover the huge amount
keep it up- great job.
Good job, but result oriented discussions are always welcome, There are many famous and known acuused, some of them fugitives, first request UK to deport them to Pakistan, for others a standing request be filed.
Good bring back Dar and other fugitives from justice.
@Zafar Ahmed while u remain silent...dont complain...
@haider shaikh at least they are meeting. Extradition arrangements take time to resolve.
When they refuse to deal with one of our biggest headache openly and boldly living since several decades in London getting millions of Pounds in ransom monies from Pakistan, what else can we expect from them?
Talks and talks for talks do not lead anywhere but to more talks … uselessly.
The heading shall be like this Pakistani-British official discuss how to tease Sharif Family and how to increase false statesments against them.
@haider shaikh You do not get immediate results when billions are involved and the interest of hosting nations are at stake. Proof is Altaf case where £400,000 was recovered and Scotland yard cleared him.
Let's make some progress.
Wht abt the previous meeting this govt had with UK's principle secretary?
PTI's supporters are very happy after this meeting.
Efforts are in progress, it is a matter of two nations, will take little time to reach a conclusion, wait, wait and wiit, do not be impatient.
Great cover drive by imran khan
Pakistan must have a clear understanding about reciprocal assistance contract with England. We must tell them that what do we need them to do for us and in exchange what we will do for them. Legally, somevof our corrupts runaway in England still hold Pakistani citizenship. Time to show weakness is over for Pakistan. IK has good relations with a lot of high level officials in England and he must use it.
You can as many meetings as can, but end of day, I along with vast majority of people want to see all looted money back in Pakistan and spend for the welfare of the poor people in education, health care, providing basic necessities, clean water and job opportunities. No more favours or topi dramas please - we are fed up with fake news and special laws for rich and famous.
Extradition is tough in UK because you bring money.
Ishaque Dar is roaming free in London. Altaf Hssain is living free in London and so are sons of Sharifs. Bet your life , they will never be extradited.
Used to hear such statements before. Each new government does the same. Ends up in promises and assuring the best co operation and FULL STOP. All governments need money. It’s against their own national interest to return our wealth. Good news is that most of our population is illiterate. They keep buying the same stories again and again.
Basically nothing comes out of any foreign visits for Pakistan. Never the less they all go from ministers to bureaucrats to MNAs to Prime Ministers. After all a free trip, first class, is hard to turn down.
@Zafar Ahmed Sadly the approach of the PTI government does not seem professional in collecting the looted money from the corrupt politicians. They are openly showing thier cards to the corrupt politicians. Similarly NAB are putting up weak cases in the courts against the corrupt politicians which helps them escape. I do not think PM will succeed in catching the corrupt politicians nor eradicate corruption .
@Zafar Ahmed
It takes legislation, time, and a lot of approvals when two governments are involved. Be patient...at least this government is making an effort to get this resolved. The previous governments never even initiated anything like this because they were the beneficiaries.
Issues of such great importance as Extradition and Money Laundering, need to be discussed on a much higher level and not on the bureaucratic ministry levels in a routine manner.
One won't be able to bring back looted wealth from countries where it is stored/invested; simply because, the duo - the law and the attorney - help THUGS legalize the transaction. Those country's economy relies on these sort of wealth. It is not only difficult, it is not possible. Yes, the government should introduce stern steps towards curbing money laundering through financial institutions, close doors for exiting foreign exchange......Thank you !
Already a petition to extradite Mr Dar has received nearly three thousand signatures and it will inevitably reach the 10 thousand mark to initiate a government response... what better way to respond to the petition by putting Mr Dar on a PIA flight back to Lahore ASAP.
These discussions will go on for ever! UK will never extradite any money launderers, as UK is always a final destination for such laundered money from all over the world! All the financial defaulters from Africa, Asia and Latin America like dictators, military generals and politicians do get easy asylum in UK
How long are they going to discuss it? They are still discussing the matters, its been forever, come on with it, these looters need to be tried
Catching white collar crime is not easy. The new govt has started the process, it will take some time. A lot of money has been turned legal and now the law protects it.
Ok great meetings now produce Ishaq Dar because we have had these talks before.
UK need extradition accord more than Pakistan. Lots of South Asian "groomers" in jail costing lot to British tax payers.
Saying more, doing less, reverse it.
Looted money coming to Pakistan soon is a dream. Yes work should start it will take time, we will be lucky to get back 10%. Hear in the West it will take years to prove the cases in courts. When it comes to money even the West will make hurdles. For a countries to give back billions will surely hurt their economies. So please don't hold your breath. Start by taking 100% of what these currupt people own in Pakistan, if this means that these people becomes homeless, then let it be. This will be a good start.