UAE, Pakistan renegotiating extradition treaty

DUBAI: Pakistan and the UAE would activate and renegotiate the existing extradition treaty at the 9th session of the Pak-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) to be held in Islamabad from June 10 to 12, said senior Pakistan consulate officials.

Cooperation in the field of national security would be among the other issues to be discussed, said Pakistan Consul-General in Dubai Chaudhry Abdul Hameed during a press conference at the Radisson SAS Hotel on Tuesday, reported the Khaleej Times.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan would lead the UAE delegation, while Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri would lead the Pakistani side. The last JMC session between the two countries was held in Abu Dhabi in October 1997.

“The global security situation has changed over the years, therefore there was a need to review all earlier treaties to make them organised,” explained Hameed. He said other issues that would be discussed included review of bilateral trade, negotiations on agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, fight against terrorism, organised crime, money laundering and abolition of visas for diplomatic and official passports. He said amendments in the Drug Trafficking Law would also be discussed. “Though Pakistani manpower is not a major concern in the UAE, it will be among the issues discusses during the meeting,” he added.

Cooperation in the fields of communications, including ties between Emirates Post and Pakistan Post is also on the agenda. “Other important points of discussion include environment protection, science and technology, education and the promotion of investments,” said Hameed.

Quoting Foreign Direct Investment figures, Hameed said, “Inflow of foreign investment from the UAE to Pakistan during the financial year 2005-2006 stood at $1,488 million. The investment figures from July 2006-April 2007 are $800 million.” online

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