In a first, Pakistan extradites accused wanted for double murder to UK

A man, Mohammad Zubair, who was wanted by British police for questioning about a double murder in Bradford was handed over to the authorities in Bradford, UK on Thursday after being extradited from Pakistan.

This is the first extradition case between the two countries despite both not having any extradition treaty, reports the London-based The Nation newspaper.

Mohammed Zubair, who was 31 at the time, has been charged with the murders of Imran Khan (27) and Ahmedin Sayed Khyel (35), who were found dead in New Lane, Tong in May 2011.

Mohammad Zubair appeared in court on Thursday charged with a double murder in Bradford. He will appear in court again on Friday.

Zubair, of Heath Terrace, Barkerend, has been in custody in Pakistan since November 2013 and his extradition is the first instance in more than a decade from that country to the UK.

Zubair's solicitor Shahzad Ali, told the court that there was an appeal pending in Pakistan before the crown court.

He said, "The decision had not been announced by that court as to his return so I'm not prepared to concede his return to this country was legal. I want it noted on the record."

Zubair appeared in the dock blue with handcuffs.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson, said: "After five years, West Yorkshire Police has managed to arrange the extradition of Mohammed Zubair, who has been held in custody in Pakistan since November 2013. I would like to praise the Pakistani authorities for their assistance and endeavours in not only securing his arrest, but also ensuring his extradition back to the UK. This has been a process that has taken a long time to come to fruition, and is the first instance in more than 10 years that anyone has been extradited from Pakistan to the UK."

In response to the extradition of Mohammed Zubair from Pakistan to the UK, British High Commissioner Thomas Drew CMG said, "I am delighted that the hard work of the Pakistani authorities, West Yorkshire police and at the British High Commission has paid off. The first extradition from Pakistan to the UK for ten years is an important achievement, and shows the value of British-Pakistani cooperation.I would like, in particular, to thank the Pakistani authorities for all their assistance.