Pakistan may review deportation accord suspension

EU representatives call on Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may review its decision of suspension of deportation treaties with the European Union (EU) taken over alleged mistreatment of Pakistani immigrants abroad, an official said.

“The country is reviewing all agreements with various states, including the European countries,” an official of the Ministry of Interior familiar with the outcome of Chaudhry Nisar’s meeting with EU representatives on Monday, told The Express Tribune.



“We may review our decision [on accord with EU on re-entry of migrants],” said the official, adding “EU's top officials promised to address Pakistan’s concerns [humiliation of citizens living in Europe].”

The final decision; the official added, however, will be taken on recommendations of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the forthcoming Cabinet meeting.

Last week, Nisar suspended the agreement on readmission of illegal immigrants with several Western countries amid reports of mistreatment of Pakistani citizens.

“The re-admission agreements have been frozen for the time being after some countries were found violating the treaty,” Nisar told media after inaugurating the one-window operation of driving licences in Islamabad on Friday.

Nisar said many Western countries were deporting Pakistanis on the basis of 'baseless' charges of terrorism.

Following Pakistan’s reaction, EU representatives on Monday met Nisar to convince him for a review, and address the concerns.



Interior minister's spokesperson in a statement said EU Ambassador Jean Francois Cautain called on Nisar.

“Johan Sorensen, Guido Bilancini, counsellors political and trade are accompanying the EU ambassador,” it said.

In 2010, Pakistan and the EU had reached an agreement to establish rapid and effective procedures for identification and orderly return of illegal immigrants to their native countries.