LONDON (Web Desk) - The Interpol has withdrawn Pakistan’s request for the extradition of senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zulfi Bukhari, dealing a significant blow to the Interior Ministry’s efforts to repatriate exiled PTI figures facing criminal cases at home.
The General Secretariat of the International Criminal Police Organisation has confirmed that it has closed its investigation into Bukhari and removed all information related to him from the Interpol Information System.
As a result, Bukhari is no longer subject to any Interpol notice, effectively ending international pursuit against him on Pakistan’s request.
The interior ministry had approached Interpol in mid-2023, seeking a red notice against Bukhari on allegations of terrorism and other serious offences.
In its complaint, Pakistani authorities accused him of involvement in violent incidents outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex during court appearances of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The ministry also claimed that Bukhari played a central role in the Al-Qadir Trust case alongside Khan and Bushra Bibi, and sought his extradition to face trial in Pakistan.
However, in a formal communication addressed to Bukhari’s legal team, Interpol stated that after conducting the required checks under its mandate, it had decided to delete the information provided by Pakistan.
No Red Notice: Interpol decides on Pakistan's request for Moonis Elahi
The letter confirmed that Bukhari is currently not wanted under any Interpol mechanism.
Legal sources say Bukhari’s lawyers successfully argued before Interpol that the allegations were politically motivated and did not meet the organisation’s threshold for international police cooperation, which prohibits involvement in cases of a political nature.
Earlier, Interpol had closed the case concerning Pakistan’s request for a Red Notice against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Moonis Elahi.
Officials confirmed that the international policing body has formally disposed of the matter following a detailed review. Pakistan had approached Interpol seeking the Red Notice to secure his arrest abroad.
Sources stated that Interpol examined the request for nearly two years, during which both sides were given the opportunity to present their positions. Moonis Elahi also submitted his stance directly before the organisation.