Malaysia, Pakistan strengthen legal ties with new prisoner transfer treaty

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — Malaysia and Pakistan yesterday signed the International Transfer of Prisoners (ITOP) Treaty, strengthening legal and security cooperation between the two countries.

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

The signing ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Pakistan and witnessed by Shehbaz.

“This signing marks another important milestone in Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations, particularly in strengthening security and legal cooperation between the two countries,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Saifuddin Nasution said the treaty was the outcome of five rounds of negotiations held since September 2025, involving the Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Attorney General’s Chambers, Malaysian Prisons Department and Royal Malaysia Police.

He said the Cabinet had also approved the treaty on May 13.

Under the ITOP, Malaysian prisoners held in Pakistan may be repatriated to serve the remainder of their sentences in Malaysia, while Pakistani prisoners serving sentences in Malaysia may be transferred to their home country to serve the remainder of their sentences.

“This also enables them to undergo rehabilitation programmes in a more conducive environment that is suited to the mould and culture of their respective countries,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution said the signing added another new legal instrument to the long-standing Malaysia-Pakistan relationship and reflected both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation that benefits their people. — Bernama