Man to be extradited from Pakistan over fire which killed eight in 2002

A man is set to be extradited from Pakistan and charged with the murder of eight members of the same family who died in a house fire.

Shahid Mohammed, 36, will be formally charged with the murder of five children and three adults who died in 2002, West Yorkshire Police said.

The charges relate to a house fire which devastated the Chishti family in Birkby, Huddersfield.

Mohammed, formerly of Huddersfield, has been held in prison in Pakistan since being located and arrested in Rawalpindi on January 22 2015.

Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “This is a significant development in our investigation.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all agencies here in the UK and in Pakistan who have worked tirelessly and supported West Yorkshire Police to ensure that this process has run smoothly to extradite him.”

DS Wallen paid tribute to the Chishti family, who had “lost eight members of their family during the fatal house fire and have shown such dignity since the tragedy occurred in 2002”.

Mohammed is due to appear before Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning after being flown in from Islamabad International Airport, the force added.