By NNN-APP
Islamabad : The United Kingdom and Pakistan on Friday signed an agreement allowing prisoners from each others’ countries to serve their sentences in their country of origin.
The Prisoner Transfer Agreement allows Pakistani nationals imprisoned in the UK to transfer to Pakistan to serve the remainder of their sentence here. The British nationals imprisoned in Pakistan will likewise be able to transfer to serve their sentence in the UK.
The Repatriation allows prisoners to maintain ties with their families more easily and removes cultural and language difficulties, contributing to their rehabilitation.
Repatriation will not be compulsory, however, as the agreement requires all prisoners to consent to their transfer, a statement released from the British High Commission said.
The British High Commissioner, Robert Brinkley, who signed on behalf of the UK, said: “We believe that it is better for both our Governments and for the prisoner concerned that sentences are served in the country in which a prisoner will eventually resettle.”
He said repatriation allows prisoners to maintain their family ties which can aid rehabilitation and reduce isolation brought about by language and cultural differences.
Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.