Interior minister, British high commissioner discuss repatriation of Nawaz Sharif

Both govts want to talk on the matter but [Turner] did not give 'a very positive response', says Sheikh Rashid

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday met British High Commission Christian Turner and discussed the repatriation of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in London after his release from prison on medical ground.

Nawaz left for London on November 20, 2019, around three weeks after his release on bail from a seven-year sentence for corruption. At that time, he was flown in a chartered air ambulance for treatment in the UK for his undiagnosed illness that 'remains a mystery' to this day.

The three-time prime minister and his family are embroiled in a slew of corruption cases with fresh charges popping up every day. Nawaz and his party – the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – however, claim that all these charges are trumped up and motivated by political vendetta.

Sharif has been declared a proclaimed offender by the court following his refusal to return to Pakistan, while his daughter Maryam Nawaz is out on bail and her London-based brothers have also been declared proclaimed offenders.

During the meeting between Sheikh Rasheed and Christian Turner, the two sides reviewed the progress on extradition treaties of wanted people between the two countries, according to Radio Pakistan.

Islamabad, 21st April
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan His Excellency Dr. Christian Turner calling on Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. pic.twitter.com/W3ol8BeFSf

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) April 21, 2021

It said that the repatriation of former premier Nawaz Sharif also came under discussion during the meeting. Both sides agreed to complete the extradition and repatriation treaties at the earliest.

“I told British High Commissioner Christian Turner to deport Nawaz Sharif, as he has been declared a proclaimed offender by the court,” Rashid later said during a news conference in Islamabad.

He recalled that Turner had told him that both governments wanted to talk on the matter, but did not give “a very positive response”.

'UK to fully support Pakistan on FATF issue'

Turner also said that UK will fully support Pakistan on the issue of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as Islamabad's performance on the "implementation of the FATF roadmap is marvellous".

The interior minister said that Pakistan has so far implemented 24 out of 27 points of the FATF roadmap.

"Pakistan and the United Kingdom have a long history of bilateral relations and we give immense value to them," he reiterated.

'Red listing of Pakistan seems discriminatory'

Rashid also expressed concerns over placing Pakistan on the "red list" due to the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that the ban has disturbed the Pakistani diaspora living in the UK.

He said this treatment with Pakistan seems discriminatory when Covid is spreading at a fast pace in its neighbouring countries.

The high Commissioner explained that placement of Pakistan onto the red list is not discriminatory as the step has been taken in view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation.

The interior minister also expressed condolence on the sad demise of Duke of Edinburgh Prince Prince Philip.