*ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and the UK will be launching an unprecedented newanti-money laundering programme soon.*
This was announced at a joint press conference in Islamabad addressed byBritish Home Secretary Sajid Javed and Law Minister Farogh Nasim.
Javed said the UK will work with Pakistan to combat terrorism as well ascorruption. It was also announced that the two countries will be restartingtheir prisoner transfer agreement so that prisoners from both countries canserve sentences closer to their families.
The British home secretary said that the British and Pakistani governmentsare committed to fighting corruption and getting Pakistan off the FATF’sGrey List.
We believe that the UK is Pakistan’s most committed and durable partner,said Javed. He said the UK is also Pakistan’s biggest export market inEurope.
He congratulated the new prime minister on taking office and said the UKwants to join Pakistan in building a strong future.
“I’m here to reaffirm our relationship and form new bonds of friendship,”he said. He is also in Pakistan to discuss security, justice and regionalstability.
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He spoke about improving bilateral trade and how he has visited education,community and security projects to help make Pakistan prosperous and safe.
Pakistan has suffered the most from extremism and we aim to crack down onit through strong relationship, he said. “Money laundering has directimpact on Pakistan. It reduces tax, takes money from basic services and isa barrier to investment,” said Javed, who added that when he met PrimeMinister Imran Khan earlier in the day, they both agreed that terrorismneeds to be tackled and that it is a priority of both governments.
I am launching a new UK-Pakistan partnership on justice and accountabilityand I want to ensure that no one can escape justice, said the homesecretary, adding that PM Khan and he both believe corruption is an equallyimportant issue that must be tackled.
He announced the appointment of a new British envoy on justice andaccountability and said the PM will work closely with the adviser onaccountability.
The law minister said that a few task forces have been formed by cabinetsto bring reforms in civil and criminal justice systems and that Pakistanaccepts the support by the British government. There’s a new capacitybuilding programme for law enforcement agencies and other institutions, heexplained.
