Malaysia and Pakistan signed the International Transfer of Prisoners (ITOP) Treaty on August 20, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Pakistan. The signing was witnessed by Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and conducted by Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail along with Pakistan’s Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi [1, 2, 3].
The treaty allows prisoners from Malaysia held in Pakistan to be repatriated to serve the remainder of their sentences in Malaysia, and vice versa for Pakistani prisoners held in Malaysia. This arrangement aims to enable inmates to undergo rehabilitation programs in settings aligned with their home country's culture and environment [1, 2, 3].
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, "This signing marks another important milestone in Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations, particularly in strengthening security and legal cooperation between the two countries" [1]. He added that the treaty "enables them to undergo rehabilitation programmes in a more conducive environment that is suited to the mould and culture of their respective countries" [2]. He also described the treaty as "another new legal instrument to the long-standing Malaysia-Pakistan relationship" reflecting their commitment to expanding cooperation for mutual benefit [3].
Negotiations for the treaty began in September 2025, involving five rounds of discussions among various Malaysian government agencies [1, 2, 3]. The Malaysian Cabinet approved the treaty on May 13, 2026, ahead of the signing [1, 2, 3].
The treaty adds a formal legal framework to a long-standing relationship between the two countries, facilitating prisoner transfers under agreed terms.
Malaysia publicly announced the signing of the treaty on August 21, 2026 [1, 2].
