Malaysia, Pakistan Sign International Prisoner Transfer Treaty

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Pakistan signed the International Transfer of Prisoners Treaty (ITOP), thus strengthening security and legal cooperation between the two countries.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the signing of the treaty was done together with Pakistan’s Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi after his courtesy call on Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

The signing of the treaty took place at the Office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and was witnessed by Muhammad Shehbaz.

“The signing is another significant achievement in Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations, particularly in strengthening security and legal cooperation between the two countries,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday.

Saifuddin Nasution said the treaty is the result of five series of negotiations conducted since September 2025, involving the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Malaysian Prisons Department and the Royal Malaysia Police.

He said the Cabinet had also given its approval to the treaty on May 13.

Saifuddin Nasution said through ITOP, Malaysian citizens detained in Pakistan can be brought back to serve the remainder of their sentences in Malaysia, while Pakistani citizens serving sentences in Malaysia can be transferred to their home country for the same purpose.

“This also allows them to undergo rehabilitation programmes in a more conducive environment that is suitable to their respective country’s culture and norms,” he said.

He said the signing of the treaty adds another new legal instrument in the long-established Malaysia-Pakistan relations, besides reflecting the commitment of both countries to expand cooperation that benefits the people.

BERNAMA