Islamabad, June 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):UK’s Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth and Development Office Lord Tariq Ahmad called on Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed here today and discussed matters related to promoting relations between the two countries. They also discussed matters of British Pakistanis, enhancing people to people contact and the cooperation in the field of security, trade and culture. Earlier, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmad welcomed UK’s Minister of State Lord Tariq Ahmad in his office.
Lord Ahmad thanked Minister for Interior for extending courtesies during his visit and appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s 10 billion Tsunami Tree Project to fight climate change in Pakistan. Both agreed to strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Interior and the UK’s Home Office to improve the ability of the law enforcement and criminal justice systems in both the countries to work together. They stressed to work together and support each other in their joint efforts in tackling transnational crimes. He presented a Letter of Intent from the UK government seeking further cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.
The Minister said that UK was looking forward to the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to UK. Ministers agreed to enhance coordination in realizing agreements of Pakistan-UK Returns Arrangements and the Extradition Treaty between the two countries. They expressed their satisfaction over the progress on the signing of Pakistan-UK Returns Arrangement (Agreement) as the draft was ready to be placed on the agenda of the Federal Cabinet for approval. Interior Minister told UK’s Minister of State that Pakistan enjoys Extradition Treaties with a number of countries and was keen to get it signed with the UK too, at the earliest.
Efforts should be geared up from both sides to get the Extradition Treaty finalised soon, Minister said, as this would improve the processes needed to extradite criminals from the UK to Pakistan. Minister for Interior said that Pakistan and UK enjoy historic relations to which Pakistan values a great deal. He said that the presence of 1.6 million British Pakistanis in UK cement this relationship further. He said that Pakistan valued the services of these British Pakistanis living in the UK over their philanthropic work in various regions of Pakistan.
Minister also raised the issue of placing Pakistan on UK’s list of countries barred from entering UK despite the fact that Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 infections. Minister of State Lord Tariq Ahmad further said that Pakistan and UK enjoy deep-rooted relations, which are based on shared history and experiences, reinforced by strong people to people contacts. A strong partnership between Pakistan and UK remains important in promoting and sustaining peace, security and stability in the wider region. UK’s High Commissioner to Pakistan His Excellency Christian Turner, Additional Secretaries of Interior Mr. Sher Alam and Mr. Iftikhar Shalwani also attended the meeting.
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