ISLAMABAD, Aug 8: Pakistan and Britain will soon sign an extradition treaty, Foreign Office spokesman Naeem Khan said on Monday. “The treaty will be ready for signing as soon as the two countries finalize procedural formalities,” Mr Naeem Khan told a weekly press briefing.

However, he declined to say how many wanted persons might be swapped between the two countries after the treaty is signed. The spokesman said Pakistan had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK in July to regulate visas for Pakistanis wishing to travel to the United Kingdom.

The two sides had been discussing the issue for the past two years as Pakistan was trying to get the best possible deal, he added. He said the MoU would help reduce deportation of Pakistanis from the UK.

The MoU on managed migration will also regulate grant of visas to Pakistanis, especially those under 25 years of age and students. However, he added, the MoU would not prejudice or impact any individual rights available under the local or international laws. The UK had similar treaties with India, Sri Lanka and Turkey.—APP