–Shahid Muhammad allegedly took lives of eight members of same family in UK
–Islamabad’s move paves way for further extraditions
ISLAMABAD: In a first, Pakistan has handed over an accused to the United Kingdom (UK) which has paved the way for further extraditions in future.
Shahid Mohammad, an accused in the 2002 fire in Birkby, Huddersfield, had allegedly caused the deaths of eight members of a family, including five young sisters, their mother, uncle and grandmother. He was detained by Pakistan in 2015 and had previously been on the run for more than 12 years.
He was confined in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, to face trial in the UK for the charge of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life and murder.
In the aftermath of magisterial enquiry, Pakistan decided that Mohammad should surrender and be handed over to UK authorities.
“It has been decided to take in custody the said Shahid Mohammad and deliver him at Islamabad to a representative of the Government of UK for his extradition to the UK for facing trial against the said charge,” it said according to the documents.
Consequently, he was handed over by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to the representative of the UK government here and was extradited to face trial against the said charge.
According to sources privy to the development, Mohammad was handed over to a representative of National Crime Agency, UK who took him back in a chartered plane.
Mohammad, a suspected killer, had sparked a global manhunt after a blaze ripped through a family home killing eight people was detained in Pakistan back in 2015. He was 32 back then and remained on the run for 12 years, and is the prime suspect in the murder of five children and three adults – all members of the Chisti family.
Their house was targeted by killers who poured petrol through the letterbox, put a petrol bomb through the window and then lit it. The blaze destroyed the house and claimed the lives of eight members of the same family in May 2002.
It is pertinent to mention that at present, no extradition agreement is inked between Pakistan and the UK. However, the recent extradition of one of the wanted men may help both countries to formalise their extradition laws and sign mutual extradition agreements.
