Shahzad Akbar meets British home secretary, discusses extradition of suspects

LONDON: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Tuesday held a meeting with British Home Secretary Sajid Javid in London and discussed issues of mutual interest.
During the interaction, the two officials discussed issues related to the provision of mutual legal assistance, extradition requests, prisoner transfer agreement and steps to put an end to money laundering as well as recovery of assets acquired through illegal sources of income.
They also discussed matters pertaining to assistance and support on technical matters, analytical advice and skills capacity building so both the countries can cement ties.
Akbar also met other representatives of the UK government including Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor of the International Justice & Organised Crime Division, Debbie Price and Head of the UK Central Authority, Philomena Creffield.
During the meeting, Islamabad and London agreed on working closely at an operational level and enhancing collaboration in the areas of information sharing. Moreover, progress on specific cases for extradition requests made to the UK government also came under discussion.
The premier’s special assistant also called on UK Prime Minister’s Anti-Corruption Champion and Member of Parliament, John Penrose at Portcullis House to discuss strategies for making joint efforts in curbing corruption and plugging existing loopholes at home and abroad.
Akbar spent a busy day in the British capital and also visited the Foreign and Commonwealth Office where he was received by UK Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) Gareth Bayley; both sides discussed bilateral issues and expressed their commitment to work closely together.
Bayley expressed the British Government’s resolve to support Pakistan in its anti-corruption drive and carrying out the accountability process for justice to ensure transparency.