Pakistan, UK agree to expand cooperation in counterterrorism, cybercrime and immigration

Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in several key areas, including counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, cybercrime, illegal immigration, NADRA, the Coast Guards and training programmes.

According to a statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis met Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry in Islamabad.

The meeting was also attended by delegations from both countries, which reviewed various aspects of bilateral security cooperation.

During the meeting, the British minister appreciated the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) performance in tackling illegal immigration and acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices and efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Dan Jarvis described cybercrime as an international challenge, stressing that countries must work together to effectively combat it. He also highlighted the existing cooperation between Pakistan and the UK and expressed a desire to expand collaboration across various sectors.

According to the Ministry of Interior, both sides agreed to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on counter-narcotics cooperation at the earliest. The agreement aims to fully activate cooperation between the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

During the discussions, Mohsin Naqvi revealed that 330 cases involving drug smuggling to the UK had been foiled over the past few years.

The meeting also discussed expanding cooperation in training programmes, NADRA, immigration, the Coast Guards and cybercrime.

Naqvi appreciated the progress made under the Upskill Project, saying it was playing an important role in strengthening the institutional capacity of Pakistani organisations.

Both countries also agreed to convene a meeting of the working group established between their respective interior ministries at the earliest.