ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis visited Pakistan and held meetings with senior officials, during which both countries agreed to expand cooperation in counterterrorism, narcotics control, cybercrime, immigration and other security-related areas.
According to reports, Jarvis met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Discussions focused on the situation in Afghanistan, regional security, counterterrorism and joint measures against serious organised crime.
Both countries agreed to enhance practical cooperation to counter terrorism, organised crime, illegal immigration and visa fraud. They also emphasised improving information sharing, strengthening coordination between law enforcement agencies and taking more effective action against criminal and terrorist networks.
Jarvis said Pakistan and the United Kingdom faced shared security threats and could make both countries safer by tackling them together.
During his visit to the Interior Ministry, Jarvis also held a meeting with Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. Delegation-level talks were also held between the two sides.
The discussions covered cooperation in counterterrorism, narcotics control, NADRA, cybercrime, immigration, coast guards and training programmes. The British minister praised the Federal Investigation Agency’s performance in preventing illegal immigration and said cybercrime was an international challenge requiring coordinated efforts by all countries.
Jarvis acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices and efforts in the war against terrorism. Both sides also decided to finalise a memorandum of understanding on counter-narcotics cooperation soon.
The proposed agreement will make cooperation between the UK’s National Crime Agency and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force fully operational. Naqvi said Pakistani authorities had foiled 330 cases involving drug smuggling to the United Kingdom over the past few years.
The two countries also agreed to convene a meeting of the working group established between their interior ministries soon. Naqvi praised progress under the Upskill Project, describing it as important for strengthening the capacity of Pakistani institutions.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and senior officials from Pakistan’s interior, law enforcement, immigration and security institutions also attended the meetings.