India makes request for Hafiz Saeed’s extradition in ‘money laundering case’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, while acknowledging it has received a formal request from India through diplomatic channels for the extradition of Pakistani national Hafiz Saeed, reminded New Delhi on Friday in a clear two-line statement that “no bilateral extradition treaty” exists between the two countries.

In a briefing to the media on Friday, India’s Ministry for External Affairs spokesperson said: “We have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents to the government of Pakistan.” India wants to try Hafiz Saeed in Indian courts for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

In the absence of a bilateral extradition treaty, Pakistan is under no legal obligation to extradite persons wanted by India.

On Thursday, Pakistan, while not denying the demand -- which has also been made in the past, had refused to comment on ‘unverified’ news reports from New Delhi. During the weekly presser, the Foreign Office spokesperson had said “This question is based on speculative reporting and we would not like to comment on speculative reports.”

On Friday, when India approached Pakistan formally, fully knowing that it was demanding something unacceptable since there is no extradition treaty.