ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Monday said that the agreement between the United Kingdom (UK) and Pakistan is very important and beneficial for Pakistan in paving the way for bringing back culprits wanted in various cases.
“After signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), nobody would dare to resort to money laundering and take the illicit amount from Pakistan to foreign countries,” he said while talking to a private news channel.
The minister said that it is evident that corrupt elements were involved in money laundering from Pakistan to the UK and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the past, but this agreement would force them to refrain from such practice.
Laws were already drafted in European countries and the United States (US) regarding corruption, but the previous governments of Pakistan did not benefit from such laws, he said, adding that the corrupt elements had purchased property in London through money laundering.
He said that the measure had been taken to bring back proclaimed offenders to the country. Many wanted people, including Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Muhammad Ishaq Dar could be brought back to the country as per the agreement, he added.
Responding to a query, he said that Pakistan was enjoying good relations with Saudi Arabia and it was possible to sign a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia regarding corruption, adding that Saudi had already initiated anti-corruption drive.
To another question, he said that Switzerland treaty was most important for Pakistan to access the Swiss banks.
