Convicts able to return home to finish sentences

A treaty on transfer of sentenced persons between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of China was signed in Beijing on Nov 3, providing legal grounds for further cooperation in transfer of sentenced persons.

The treaty was inked by Fu Zhenghua, Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China, and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on behalf of their own countries.

It provides that sentenced persons having difficulties in language, habits, religions and visits will be allowed to return to their own country to finish their prison term. It will come into effect after the two countries' legislative body's give their approval.

To date, China has signed bilateral treaties of this kind with 15 countries including Ukraine, Russia, Spain and Portugal.