China asks Pakistan to extradite 22 rebels

Islamabad, June 21 (UNI) China has asked Pakistan to locate and hand over 22 Chinese rebels who are believed to be hiding somewhere in its tribal areas, a local media report today said.

Dawn newspaper quoted interior ministry sources as saying that China had provided a list of 22 wanted rebels belonging to East Turkistan Islamic Movement, a secessionist organisation, based in Sinkiang province bordering Pakistan.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao would visit China from June 24 to discuss the issue and other matters of common interests including terrorism.

The minister is leaving for China with a three-point agenda including the presence of Chinese rebels in the country's tribal area, security of Chinese people working on different projects in Pakistan and training of security officials of the two sides.

When contacted, Interior Ministry spokesman Brig Javed Iqbal Cheema said the minister was going to China on an invitation of the Chinese government, adding that Beijing will definitely raise the issue of its rebels hiding in Pakistan.

UNI