Pak approves extradition treaties with China, Saudi Arabia

Islamabad [Pakistan], Mar 29 (ANI): Pakistan's federal cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday approved the signing of extradition treaties with China and Saudi Arabia for the smooth transfer of convicted and sentenced individuals.

According to official sources, the treaties with the two countries will cover serious crimes such as terrorism, treason, human trafficking among others, in addition to less heinous crimes such as smuggling of goods, financial embezzlement, fraudulent practices and so on, The Express Tribune reported.

Following the approval of extradition treaties, inputs of law, defence, and foreign ministries were to be included during the signing of the treaties between China and Saudi Arabia, as per the sources.

"In the past, there have been moves to sign extradition treaties with countries like Britain, Saudi Arabia, and China, but the moves have never been materialised due to complexities and hitches surrounding such measures," officials said.

If the complexities are addressed and the bilateral treaties are signed with the respective inputs, it would allow the smooth procedure of extraditing convicted and sentenced individuals, who would complete their jail terms in a country where the individual has committed a crime.

Earlier on Tuesday, reports surfaced that Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal gave the green signal to the interior ministry to finalise the signing of extradition treaties with the UK, China and other countries in the Middle East.

However, for now, the federal cabinet has approved treaties with China and Saudi Arabia respectively. (ANI)