Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The governments of Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Monday jointly launched a partnership on repatriation of illicit finances, recovery of stolen assets and putting a check on money laundering.

Law Minister Farogh Nasim and British Home Secretary Sajid Javid at a joint press conference here at the PM Office announced that the declaration titled ‘UK-Pakistan Justice and Accountability Partnership’ would track corruption and also restart the bilateral prisoner transfer that was on a halt for last several years.

British Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, said the United Kingdom would ensure that no person could escape accountability. He, however, clarified that the initiative would be broad-based and was not meant to target only individual cases.

He said the new partnership would be headed by a special envoy to expand cooperation between the two sides in curbing corruption. The director of the Economic Crime Unit would be representing the British side, he added.

The British home secretary, who is the first from his government to visit Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed the office, said the UK was committed to strengthen ties with the new government and reaffirm their partnership. He termed his talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan as constructive and said he fully endorsed his vision of building a prosperous Pakistan.

To a question, the home secretary rejected the impression that the UK was reluctant on extradition related matters with Pakistan and said he was mindful of respecting the domain of British law enforcement agencies. However, he stressed that those responsible would be brought to justice whenever there was some evidence. Asked about the quantum of money laundering, the British secretary said both the sides reviewed their commitments on sharing evidence to prosecute the criminals.

On the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Sajid Javid said Pakistan was already working on the matter and the UK would extend all support to it in that regard. He said his country would deepen cooperation with Pakistan to counter illicit finances and corruption. About the role and sacrifices of Pakistan against counter-terrorism, he said Pakistan had suffered more than any other country on that count.

He said Pakistan and the United Kingdom had deep relations in many areas. Some 120 British companies were already working here, he said. Being a major trading partner, the UK would like more companies to enter Pakistan as it was preparing to leave the European Union, he added.

Law Minister Farogh Naseem said both the sides also deliberated on the formation of a joint fund on civil recovery of stolen assets, and appointment of a prosecution service at the British High Commission. He said it was also agreed upon to ensure capacity building of Pakistani law enforcement officials with the assistance of the United Kingdom.+When questioned on the issue of confiscation of Avenfield apartments of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the law minister said, “No individual cases or any specific matter was discussed.”

On deliberations for the extradition of two sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Farogh Naseem said he was unable to share more details. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said the matter was already with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Individual cases would not be commented upon, he added.

Minister of State for Interior Shahryar Khan Afridi and British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew were also present on the occasion.

Later, British Home Secretary Sajid Javid paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Expressing satisfaction on the current direction of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, the prime minister hoped that the two countries would be able to upgrade those to a multi-faceted strategic partnership. He acknowledged the United Kingdom’s development assistance that had positively impacted Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors.

They also discussed a wide range of issues of common interest, including counter-terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking, money laundering and asset recovery.

The British home secretary stated that his government was willing to support and extend full cooperation to the government of Pakistan in these areas. He also underscored the need to enhance cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

The British home secretary also met Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office. “The two sides discussed various areas of regional and bilateral cooperation, in particular regional security, counter-terrorism, organized crime, migration, human trafficking, money laundering and asset recovery,” the Foreign Office said.

The foreign minister stressed the need to expand Pak-UK cooperation and translate the existing ties into a tangible and multi-faceted strategic partnership.

The British home secretary conveyed his government’s desire to support and work closely with the new government in all areas of mutual interest.

The British home secretary also held separate talks with his counterpart Shehryar Afridi at the Interior Ministry, where all aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the field of immigration, crimes and related fields came under discussion.

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Published in Daily Times, September 18^th 2018.