Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics efforts, cybercrime, immigration, coast guard operations, and training programmes, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement on Friday. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UK Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis at the Ministry of Interior.
The two sides also held delegation-level talks. According to the statement, UK Security Minister Jarvis acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices and efforts in the fight against terrorism and praised the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for its performance in curbing illegal immigration.
"Cybercrime is an international issue, and all countries must work together to effectively address it," Jarvis said, adding that Pakistan and the UK had strong cooperation in various fields and wanted to expand it further. The two sides also agreed to finalise a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on anti-narcotics cooperation soon.
The agreement is expected to make cooperation between the UK's National Crime Agency and Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) fully operational. Naqvi said 330 cases involving drugs being smuggled to the UK had been thwarted over the past few years.
The sides also agreed to convene a meeting of the working group established between the interior ministries of the two countries soon. The security czar praised progress under the upskill project, saying it was helping build the capacity of Pakistani institutions.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and officials from relevant Pakistani security and government institutions also attended the meeting. The collaborative framework aims to streamline intelligence sharing and operational synergy between the two nations.
Furthermore, the discussions highlighted the importance of technological integration in policing and border management. Both ministers emphasized that modern challenges require modern solutions, specifically in the digital domain.
The UK delegation expressed satisfaction with the current trajectory of bilateral relations. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability and global security standards.
The meeting concluded with a pledge to maintain regular communication channels to monitor the progress of these initiatives. This partnership marks a significant step in deepening the strategic ties between Islamabad and London.
As the global security landscape evolves, the cooperation between Pakistan and the UK serves as a vital pillar for maintaining law and order, ensuring that both nations remain resilient against transnational threats.