By Khawaja Hamza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in counterterrorism, anti-narcotics operations, cybercrime, immigration, illegal migration, visa fraud and law enforcement during British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis’s visit to Pakistan.
During his visit, Jarvis met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. He also held delegation-level talks with Pakistani officials at the Ministry of Interior to discuss regional security, including stability in Afghanistan, counterterrorism and serious organised crime.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, anti-narcotics operations, NADRA, cybercrime, immigration, coast guards and institutional capacity-building and training programmes. They also emphasised stronger operational coordination and information sharing to disrupt terrorist and criminal networks.
Jarvis appreciated the performance of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in tackling illegal immigration, describing cybercrime as an international challenge that required joint efforts by all countries. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices and efforts in the fight against terrorism and expressed the desire to further expand bilateral cooperation.
The two sides agreed to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on counter-narcotics cooperation at the earliest to fully operationalise collaboration between the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the British delegation that Pakistani authorities had foiled 330 cases involving attempts to smuggle drug consignments into the United Kingdom over the past few years. Both sides also agreed to convene an early meeting of the working group established between the interior ministries of the two countries.
Naqvi appreciated the progress under the UK-supported Upskill Project, saying it was helping strengthen the professional capabilities and institutional capacity of Pakistani organisations.
Speaking during the visit, Jarvis said the UK and Pakistan faced shared security threats and could address them more effectively through close cooperation. He said his visit aimed to strengthen practical collaboration against terrorism, serious organised crime, illegal migration and visa fraud, improve information sharing and build capabilities to protect communities in both countries.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and senior officials from both countries attended the meeting, including the Federal Secretary Interior, Chairman NADRA, Directors General of FIA and ANF, Inspector General Federal Constabulary, Director General National Forensic Agency, Commandant National Police Academy, Director General NCCIA, Director General Passports and senior Islamabad Police officials.
