Pakistan, Britain to form Joint Working Group

Islamabad, Sep 23 (UNI) Pakistan and Britain will form a Joint Working Group (JWG) to share intelligence information on sensitive issues, including immigration and terrorism, reports said today.

Pakistan's private Geo TV quoted Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao as saying in Islamabad, the JWG will be formed on the pattern of the one Britain has already formed with the United States.

The JWG will comprise senior officials of home departments of the two countries, Mr Sherpao said but did not disclose when the group would be functional.

He said British experts will also impart training to Pakistani officials in using sensitive equipment as part of cooperation in the area of intelligence sharing.

On signing of extradition treaty between the two close allies in the ongoing war against terror, the Interior Minister said the treaty had been finalised, adding it will now be sent to the Cabinet of ministers for the approval.

Mr Sherpao also confirmed reports that London has again asked Islamabad to hand over Rashid Rauf, a key suspect of the abortive London terror plot, who had been arrested by Pakistani security agencies from Rawalpindi days after authorities in Britain foiled the plot to simultaneously blow up several US-bound passenger aircraft in the mid-air.

Pakistani officials claimed that Rauf, a British national, had links with Afghanistan-based al-Qaeda and his capture triggered a series of arrests in London.

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