World | Pakistan
Islamabad declines to extradite Rashid Rauf
Pakistan has declined to extradite Rashid Rauf, a UK-born Pakistani, allegedly involved in the plot to hit London planes.
- By Wajid Ali Wajid, Correspondent
- Published: 00:00 May 4, 2007
Islamabad: Pakistan has declined to extradite Rashid Rauf, a UK-born Pakistani, allegedly involved in the plot to hit London planes.
The spokesman for the federal Interior Ministry said Rauf would not be handed over to Britain until the decisions of certain criminal cases in Pakistan.
Javed Iqbal Cheema told the media yesterday that the interrogation was in progress as Rauf was also involved in fake currency and other criminal offences.
Cheema rejected the notion that the move was a tit-for-tat response for exchange of criminals wanted by Pakistan and said that Pakistan enjoys very cordial relations and cooperation in sharing the information with United Kingdom but extradition of Rauf will be made purely on merits.
He admitted that Pakistan had asked Britain to hand over eight criminals wanted by country's law enforcing agencies for their involvement in different heinous crimes.
He said that law and order situation across the country was improving, the interior ministry was planning to take more effective steps to counter any act of terrorism.
Ministry's top official categorically rejected unconfirmed reports that Pakistan has requested the help of advanced countries for investigative teams to probe Charsada suicide bombing which targeted federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao.
Twenty nine people were killed and several dozens injured including Sherpao and his son Sikandar.
"Our security agencies are fully equipped and capable of handling such cases on their own and they have proved their flair in the past," he added.
"Only one body was unknown, his whereabouts and identification is being actively probed.
"At this stage it is premature to talk about his nationality but surely we will find the clue of the criminal and perpetuated behind this heinous crime," he claimed.
He rejected the notion that some religious seminaries were the sanctuaries for suicide bombers.
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Ajtebi's phenomenal assent
The former camel jockey was at the peak of his powers when upstaging Garret Gomez
-
US pushing for more aid to Philippines
Obama administration eyeing $667m security assistance package
-
Mohammad launches H1N1 campaign
Shaikh Mohammad was the first one to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
