Pakistan for early ratification of extradition treaty with Australia

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday underscored the need for early ratification of extradition treaty with Australia so as to further strengthen justice system of the two countries.This was transpiring during a meeting between Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and visiting Australian Foreign Minister Ms Julie Bishop here at the Punjab House.
During the meeting, the interior minister said the successes of Operation Zarb-e-Azb have virtually broken backbone of the terrorists who are now on the run, adding that the government is strongly determined to purge the region of the menace of terrorism.
Pakistan and Australia reiterated their commitment to strengthen their cooperation in all possible areas including further strengthening operational cooperation and intelligence sharing, immigration and border control, capacity building of law enforcing agencies, curbing transnational crimes and further cementing mutual cooperation at regional as well as international level.
The two leaders discussed a whole gamut of Pak-Australian bilateral relations ranging from the existing cooperation between the two countries in the ongoing fight against militancy and terrorism to the capacity building of the law-enforcement authorities of Pakistan in critical areas of intelligence gathering, investigation and prosecution of criminals and from finding way and means to further strengthen the mechanism of intelligence sharing to checking of international movement of the terrorists and their financing. Mutual cooperation on curbing transnational crimes, checking human smuggling, money laundering, border management and regional situation also came under discussion.
Foreign Minister Ms Julie Bishop appreciated the efforts of Pakistani government, armed forces and the people of Pakistan in the ongoing fight against militants and observed that the Australian government and the people greatly appreciate countless sacrifices of Pakistan in an effort to make the region and the world safe from the menace of terrorism. She said that the Australian government would continue to provide every possible assistance to the government and the people of Pakistan in their fight against militancy.
The interior minister appreciated Australian government’s acknowledgement of Pakistan’s efforts. He also appreciated the Australian government in providing valuable assistance towards capacity building of Pakistani law-enforcing agencies especially equipping and training them to effectively taking on the terrorists and the criminal elements.
Discussing fight against militants, Nisar said that National Action Plan clearly reflects the will of the people of Pakistan in pursuing their struggle against militancy to its logical conclusion. He said that the political and the military leadership and indeed the entire society was united for this cause and is on the same page in the fight against militants.
The two leaders also resolved to promote frequent interactions at all levels so as to forge a close working relationship for overcoming the issue of mutual concern.The Australian foreign minister extended invitation to the interior minister to visit Australia at his convenience.