LAHORE: The United States has formally approached Pakistan for extradition of Amer Ahmad, State of Ohio’s former deputy treasurer and Chicago City’s ex-comptroller, sources said, adding that there is a possibility that he may be handed over to the US.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Amer Ahmad – a US citizen – in April, 2014 from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, while he was traveling on a fake Pakistani passport and visa.
Following the arrest, the FIA received numerous calls from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) demanding that the accused be handed over to them. However, the FIA had asked the US authorities to follow protocol.
Ahmad is wanted by the FBI as he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges. He is currently in jail on charges of entering Pakistan on forged travelling documents, as well as obtaining fake birth certificate and fake Pakistani identity card.
In this connection, the interior ministry has sent a letter – with the stamp and signature of Deputy Secretary (FIA) Khalil Ahmed – to Islamabad Capital Territory’s chief commissioner.
The letter provides documentary evidence [provided by the US Embassy] in respect of Amer Ahmad “to facilitate the inquiry officer to conduct Magisterial inquiry Under Section 7 of the Extradition Act, 1972.”
The letter directs the inquiry officer – Capt (retd) Abdul Sattar Ehsani, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Islamabad – to complete the inquiry within one week and submit a report to the ministry. The letter also directs the FIA Headquarters Director Law Malik Javid Ahmad to ask the FIA Special Investigation Unit (SIU) deputy director, the FIA Headquarters Islamabad, director FIA Punjab and Director National Central Bureau (NCB) –Interpol FIA Headquarters Islamabad to coordinate with the inquiry officer.
Extradition
No extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and the US and yet there are certain provisions under which Pakistan and the US have been able to arrange transfer of certain individuals.
“No doubt there is no formal extradition treaty between Pakistan and United States but it depends on the nature of every case,” said the FIA Punjab Director Dr Usman Anwar.
He said extradition had taken place in the case of Bank of Punjab (BoP) former president Hamesh Khan, who had dual citizenship of US and Pakistan, but who was deported to Pakistan by US authorities on Pakistan government request as well as court orders.
In the case of US citizen Amer Ahmad, the Interpol has also issued red warrants for his arrest, which may potentially be a vehicle for his transfer to the FBI jurisdiction, but it depends on Pakistan government how it decides about Ahmad’s extradition, sources said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2014.
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