Web Desk (September 14, 2018): The British government rejected a petition to extradite former finance minister Ishaq Dar, citing the reason that it has no formal extradition treaty with Pakistan.
The statement said that the UK has no formal extradition treaty with Pakistan. Section 194 of the Extradition Act 2003 does allow special extradition arrangements in exceptional circumstances.
However, under current law, an extradition process is initiated at the request of the government of the country in which the individual has been convicted of the crime.
It would therefore be the Pakistani Government’s responsibility to initiate such proceedings.
Earlier on September 11, Additional Attorney General of Pakistan informed the Apex Court that consultation is underway with concerned departments regarding bringing back former finance minister Ishaq Dar.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar resumed hearing a case pertaining to Dar’s return to the country.
As the hearing went underway, the additional attorney general said, “Dar’s diplomatic and other passport have been cancelled.”
“The Ministry of Interior has also blacklisted the former finance minister on National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) request,” he further said.
When the attorney general informed that Dar has no valid travel documents, the chief justice questioned, “Then how will he come back?”
“There is a system in place through which he can be brought back,” the attorney general responded.
As AAGP presented his arguments, Justice Nisar asked him “whether he has reviewed this matter”. The attorney general responded, “I have spoken to concerned authorities regarding Dar’s return.”
Justice Nisar then remarked, “You must be aware that NAB has declared Dar absconder, can the state still not bring him back?”
To this, Justice Ijazul Ahsan added, “We have an extradition treaty with the United Kingdom.”
However, the additional attorney general responded, “For that we will have to take this matter up in the courts over there.”
Further, during the hearing, the NAB prosecutor general informed the court, “We have found details of several of Dar’s properties and will submit their records together after inquiry.”
The attorney general added, “Consultations are underway with concerned departments to bring him back.”
Directing concerned departments to continue taking steps for Dar’s return, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till next week.
The former finance minister is accused of possessing assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income.
Earlier on September 10, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf’s government cancelled the diplomatic passport of Former finance minister and PML N leader Ishaq Dar and his wife.
According to details, Ishaq Dar and his wife are currently in London, Dar has to return passport within 30 days but they did not return the passport.
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Chief justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar ordered to bring back former finance minister Dar within 10 days.
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