Pakistan, China ratify extradition treaty
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and China Tuesday exchanged instruments of ratification of a bilateral extradition treaty signed four years ago. Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah and Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui signed and exchanged the treaty ratification certificates in the presence of caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan and visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister China Wang Yi.
The treaty will ensure more effective cooperation in the prevention and suppression of crimes amid the rising acts of international terrorism and organized crimes. Addressing a press conference after the ceremony, the Interior Minister said that under the treaty the two countries would hand over prisoners including terrorists and those elements who were posing threat to the security of each county on request. The implementation of the accord will start from January 10, he said adding that the two countries would prepare list of wanted persons while no such list has been prepared so far. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary Interior said that Pakistan and China are brotherly countries and “we will not tolerate any element posing threat to our brotherly neighbour.”
To a question about the release of Supreme Court Bar Association President Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan and some other lawyers, the Minister Hamid Nawaz said, “We are in contact with the provincial government and they would be released soon.” About extradition of Balochistan Liberation Army’s (BLA) members by the UK government, the Minister said that the Pakistan foreign ministry is in contact with the UK government in this regard.
Pakistan and China on Tuesday reaffirming their commitment to wiping out terrorism and for strengthen defence ties have vowed that Pak-China friendship is the guarantee of peace and stability on the region and this friendship would be further strengthened in years to come, The commitment to this effect was made between visiting Deputy Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan during a meeting on Tuesday.
Well-placed Sources told Online that the meeting lasted for quite a while in which host of issues including Regional, International and bilateral ones came under discussion. Both the leaders expressed their satisfaction over progress in various diversified fields adding that Pak-China relations are flourishing with each day passing. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was of the view that China has always supported Pakistan thick and thin adding that China always wants a peaceful and stable Pakistan.
On the other hand, Foreign Secretary Riaz Khan said that China is a true friend of Pakistan and is a huge investor in Pakistan. He said that only due to China’s billion of rupees investment, Pakistan has completed various projects while numerous are on the cards.