ROME: Italy said Thursday it had asked Pakistan to extradite the parents of a teenage girl suspected of having been murdered by her family after refusing an arranged marriage.
The announcement came after news Wednesday that the uncle of 18-year-old Saman Abbas had been arrested in Paris, accused of her murder alongside her parents and two of her cousins.
The case has sparked outrage in Italy and has become front page news since police began investigating the teenager’s disappearance in May. Her body has yet to be found.
“Justice Minister Marta Cartabia... has signed and sent to Pakistan the two extradition requests for the parents of Saman Abbas, who are under investigation for the murder of their daughter,” the justice ministry said Thursday.
Prosecutors had on Wednesday announced the arrest on a European warrant of the teenager’s uncle on the outskirts of Paris.
Saman Abbas, who lived in the northern Italian town of Novellara, last year refused her family’s plan to have her marry a cousin in their home country of Pakistan.
While still a minor, she turned to social services and in November was moved into a shelter home. She also reported her parents to police, but on April 11 returned to them.
Police began searching for her on May 5, when officers visited her house and found nobody.
Officers then discovered that the girl’s parents had left for Pakistan without her, and found images from a nearby security camera that made them fear the worst.
Late on April 29, five people could be seen walking off from the house holding shovels, a crowbar and a bucket, and returning after about two-and-a-half hours.
One cousin accused in the case is currently in jail in Italy.
Italy asks Pakistan to extradite parents of teen murdered in arranged marriage row
https://arab.news/g7c66
Italy asks Pakistan to extradite parents of teen murdered in arranged marriage row
- Announcement came after news Wednesday the uncle of 18-year-old Saman Abbas was arrested in Paris
- Case has sparked outrage in Italy and been front page news since police began investigating teen's disappearance in May
PM Sharif calls on Pakistan, UAE to enhance cooperation in trade and investment
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets UAE Ambassador Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi
- Sharif invites collaboration with UAE in energy, minerals, IT, railways and aviation sectors, says PMO
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called on Pakistan and the UAE to enhance their trade, economic and investment relations, inviting investment from the Gulf country in Pakistan’s priority sectors.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment for the South Asian country. In May 2024, the UAE committed to investing $10 billion in Pakistan’s economic sectors in the coming years.
Sharif met UAE Ambassador Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday where the two sides discussed bilateral relations and economic ties, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
“Expressing his satisfaction at the volume of bilateral trade between the two sides, the Prime Minister further highlighted the need for both sides to focus on enhancing economic ties, trade, investment opportunities, and collaboration in areas such as energy, minerals, IT, railways and aviation,” the statement said.
Sharif also invited increased UAE investments in key sectors to support Pakistan’s economic growth and stability, the PMO said.
The Pakistani prime minister acknowledged the UAE’s consistent support for Pakistan “in times of need,” acknowledging the country’s humanitarian assistance and developmental projects.
Al Zaabi thanked the Pakistani premier for extending him a warm welcome, the PMO said.
“He reaffirmed the UAE’s firm resolve and keen interest to deepen its partnership with Pakistan across all spheres and assured the Prime Minister that he would work hard to explore new avenues for cooperation that would benefit both nations,” the statement concluded.
