Britain has restored an agreement with Pakistan that provides for the transfer of convicted criminals. The agreement was declared null and void by Britain following the release of three dangerous prisoners from jails after they were brought to Pakistan during the previous government.
The decision for restoration of the agreement was formally conveyed to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan by his British counterpart Theresa May.
Sources said that an agreement was reached between Pakistan and Britain for exchange of prisoners during the Pakistan People’s Party’s regime. Under this agreement, three Pakistanis imprisoned in British jails were brought to Pakistan and were later released on the direction of a government functionary. Under the agreement, the two countries cannot release the sentenced prisoner until the completion of their jail term.
The sources said that the British home secretary wrote a letter to the Pakistan’s interior minister in January 2014 and the whole matter was investigated. It was revealed during investigations that these three Pakistanis, involved in murder, smuggling and other serious crimes in Britain, were brought to Pakistan and were later released on the direction of a high government functionary.
Two of these criminals have fled the country and while the third has been rearrested. The sources said that the government has traced out the other two criminals and they would be brought back to the country through Interpol.
British interior minister expressed her complete satisfaction over steps taken by the Pakistan government and conveyed the decision of restoration of the bilateral agreement for transfer of prisoners.
