Special committee backs prisoners’ swap treaty with UK

A special ministerial committee formed on the instruction of the federal Cabinet has decided that in the best public interest, a prisoners’ exchange treaty will be signed with the United Kingdom, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The special committee held its session at the Interior Ministry in Islamabad under the chair of Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Monday.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari, Interior Advisor Barrister Shahzad Akbar, law ministry secretary, interior additional secretary and other high officials.

The special ministerial committee in its meeting took important decisions regarding prisoners’ swap agreement between Pakistan and Britain. It decided to sign the treaty in the best public interest. The meeting thought it prudent to first consult the UK government before taking the matter to the federal Cabinet.

In case the treaty is signed, both the countries could repatriate their condemned criminals to each other countries.

As per the agreement, only those citizens could be repatriated who have been awarded punishments from the concerned courts of both countries.

After having a consultation with Britain, the special committee will present the treaty to the federal Cabinet for its final approval.

It is pertinent to mention here that the first round of consultation on the prisoners swap treaty with the UK was held in Oct 2019.

Reporter Saud Butt