New Delhi, March 21
The two-day technical-level talks between India and Pakistan on matters pertaining to crime, human-trafficking, drug abuse, formation of SAARCPOL and immigration began here today after a gap of 17 years.
CBI Director Vijay Shanker is leading the Indian side while the Pakistan delegation is headed by Director-General of the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) Tariq Pervez.
The meet will focus on “institutional cooperation in future in tackling human-trafficking, counterfeiting of currency, besides appointment of nodal officers in both countries for quick and timely exchange of information on criminal matters.
Besides Mr Shanker, the Indian side includes an Additional Director, Joint Director (Policy) and Deputy Director (Coordination) of the CBI, representatives of the Home and External Affairs Ministries, officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Narcotics Control Bureau.
The Pakistani delegation includes an Additional Director-General, an Inspector-General of the FIA and an official from Pakistan’s Foreign office.
During the meeting, India will take up the cases in which the Interpol references were pending with Pakistan so that the pace of investigation and eventual trial was accelerated, a CBI press note said.
India has been pressing for handing over underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, declared global terrorist, besides five hijackers of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999.
The meeting will also focus on the formation of a SAARCPOL (Police cooperation among the SAARC countries) to tackle trans-border crimes on the pattern of Europe.
