LONDON: Pakistan seeks further cooperation with the UK National CrimeAgency, revealed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) onAccountability (SAPM) Shahzad Akbar.
He met officials of the United Kingdom and discussed ways to increasecooperation between the two countries, reported *The News *on Sunday.
Akbar held meetings with officials at the UK’s Home Office, National CrimeAgency (NCA), Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Her Majesty’sRevenue and Customs (HMRC) to discuss the ongoing cooperation between thetwo countries.
The SAPM who landed in London on Tuesday, held meetings over three days. Hewas accompanied by Barrister Zia Nasim, UK-trained legal advisor to AssetsRecovery Unit.
Incidentally, Federal Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem and AttorneyGeneral for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan who were also present in London atthe same time for meetings on arbitration cases.
Akbar held three meetings with Home Office officials and discussed problemsrelated to joint operations regarding immigration and border violations aswell political matters.
Sources at the Home Office said the extradition of former prime ministerNawaz Sharif to Pakistan was not discussed in these meetings even thoughthe Pakistani government has sent a letter to the UK for the repatriationof the former premier.
A spokesman of the Assets Recovery Unit, when contacted, refused to shareany details but it is understood that Akbar asked the British governmentfor greater cooperation.
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During meetings with the NCA officials, both sides agreed to increasecooperation to fight serious and organised crimes.
Sources have said that with help from the government of Pakistan, the NCAis looking into the financial deals — heavy transaction and movement oflarge funds for real estate investments — of over a dozen rich Pakistanis.
Both sides have held regular contacts as investigations into the financialaffairs continue. It is possible that in the coming days, the NCA couldtake action against some of the rich people if enough evidence was gatheredfor prosecution or enough grounds for Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs).
UK officials confirm that although there are difficulties in dealing withthe white-collar crimes and it was also difficult to deal with requests offoreign governments and agencies in many instances.
However, they acknowledged that engagement between Pakistan and the UK hassignificantly become meaningful since Akbar joined PM Imran Khan’s cabinet.
BY: Murtaza Ali Shah
