ISLAMABAD: Prime minister’s special assistant on accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar announced on Monday that his country had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom to extradite wanted individuals to Pakistan, adding the development would also make it possible for his government to bring back the country’s former finance minister Ishaq Dar who currently resides in England.
Faced with serious corruption charges, Dar left Pakistan in October 2017 to attend a regional economic conference but did not return to his country. In a letter sent to an accountability court, he said that he was suffering from diffuse coronary heart disease and needed medical treatment abroad.
In December 2017, the court declared him an absconder and in October 2018 it ordered the government to auction Dar’s movable and immovable properties.
On Monday, Shahzad Akbar announced in a tweet that he had had productive meetings with UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Mark Field.
“UK signs first ever MoU for extradition to Pakistan, setting legal basis for extradition of Ishaq Dar in absence of a treaty,” he said in a twitter post.
Pakistan and United Kingdom sign first-ever MoU for extradition
Pakistan and United Kingdom sign first-ever MoU for extradition
- The development may help the government bring Ishaq Dar back to Pakistan
- Prime minister’s adviser on accountability says his meeting with British home secretary was fruitful
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
