ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has formally accelerated efforts to secure the extradition of Pakistani nationals residing illegally in the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Interior announced following a high-level meeting on Thursday.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with British High Commissioner in Pakistan Jane Marriott to specifically address the issue. In the meeting, the Interior Ministry confirmed that documents for the extradition of two specific individuals, Shehzad Akbar and Adil Raja, were officially handed over to the HC on behalf of the government.
Stressing urgency of the matter, the minister said: “They are wanted in Pakistan, therefore, they should be handed over to Pakistan without delay.”
The meeting also saw Naqvi presenting evidence against Pakistani citizens abroad reportedly involved in spreading malicious propaganda against the state and its institutions.
“We fully believe in freedom of expression, but fake news is a problem for every country,” he said. He further clarified the government’s stance, stating, “No country can allow individuals abroad to spread slander and malicious propaganda against the state and its institutions.”
The minister emphasized the need for cooperation from London. “We would welcome British cooperation in the return of those involved in anti-Pakistan propaganda,” he added.
The extradition process for the wanted individuals has also been initiated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, running parallel to discussions held with the British HC.
The meeting concluded with detailed discussions on broader Pakistan-UK relations, with a particular focus on enhancing security cooperation and other matters of mutual interest. The interior secretary and other relevant officials were also present.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, said on Thursday that the verdict in the case of Faiz Hamid, the former chief of Pakistan’s top spy agency, was expected this month. Sanaullah, speaking to Geo News in Islamabad, also stressed: “As per my knowledge, the verdict on Faiz Hamid’s case is expected this December. We should avoid making forecasts regarding Faiz Hamid’s punishment.”
Moreover, Sanaullah said that the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is going to become an extremely important institution in terms of national security. He noted that the law was amended for the post of Chief of Defence Forces.
The prime minister’s adviser said that regulations and rules for the CDF are yet to be framed and that great caution is required for the CDF’s rules.
The PM’s adviser said that the list of individuals abroad spreading anti-Pakistan content on social media will be expanded. He said that propaganda from abroad related to national security will not be allowed. Sanaullah said that it is the government’s responsibility to stop hateful material from abroad concerning security institutions. He said that no law allows propaganda related to national security.
The adviser said that if Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi obstructs national security, his political future will be dark. Sanaullah said that if CM Afridi creates obstacles in counter-terrorism operations or facilitates terrorists, he will have no future. He said that if Afridi limits himself to politics through speeches, then that should be allowed.
Sanaullah said that PTI founder Imran Khan is entitled to B-Class and facilities according to the protocol of a former prime minister. He said the government would not take any steps that would diminish the respect for former prime minister. He said that at the time of Nawaz Sharif’s imprisonment, the then-government did not provide facilities according to the law.
Sanaullah said that if CM Afridi restricts himself to meeting the PTI founder, then he should not be stopped from meeting him. He said that if a meeting with the PTI founder is about protest, a movement against the government, or facilitating terrorism, then such a meeting should not take place.
