Islamabad, Apr 9, 2025: UK Flags Misuse after a serious breach of the bilateral prisoner transfer agreement between Pakistan and the United Kingdom came to light.
The UK government has formally raised objections following the unexpected release of a convicted criminal who was supposed to serve over two decades of his sentence in Pakistan.
The convict, originally handed a sentence exceeding 30 years by a UK court, was sent back to Pakistan under the 2008 prisoner repatriation treaty, which mandates that inmates must serve the remainder of their sentence in their home country.
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However, soon after the convict hailing from Peshawar was transferred, he was prematurely freed, reportedly with help from officials within both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) prison departments.
Sources reveal that the prisoner was shifted from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail to Peshawar Central Jail following a request by KP’s Home Department.
It’s alleged that this move paved the way for his early release under suspicious circumstances.
Adding fuel to the fire, the same individual was allegedly seen at social events in Peshawar, casting further doubt on the enforcement of the repatriation agreement.
These developments prompted the UK Flags Misuse incident to become a matter of international scrutiny.
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior launched a formal probe. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry acknowledged the case.
Noting that the convict had over 20 years left on his sentence but was granted multiple days of parole, which he described as “a blatant exploitation of legal privileges.”
“Parole should never extend beyond a few hours for exceptional needs this was clearly a systemic failure,” Chaudhry stated.
Preliminary findings confirmed the prisoner was on parole and later re-incarcerated. Following this, federal authorities issued stern directives to the KP administration.
Stressing strict adherence to correctional policies and emphasizing the need for integrity within the prison system.
Meanwhile, officials from Pakistan have briefed British authorities, assuring them that the UK-Pakistan prisoner exchange program remains unaffected.
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A similar controversy reportedly occurred during the tenure of former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, raising broader concerns about recurring administrative lapses.
UK Flags Misuse not only underscores the importance of transparency in international agreements but also raises questions about internal oversight within Pakistan’s correctional facilities.
Efforts are now underway to transfer the prisoner back to Adiala Jail as investigations continue.
