ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Saturday agreed to carry out joint operations against fake and fraudulent visa networks, according to an official statement released in Islamabad, as the two countries seek to curb illegal immigration and strengthen law enforcement cooperation.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US Chargé d’affaires Natalie Baker. The talks also covered bilateral relations, pre-immigration clearance mechanisms and expanded coordination between government agencies.

“It was decided that joint operations will be conducted against fake and fraudulent visa networks under comprehensive SOPs,” said the statement circulated by the Interior Ministry, referring to standard operating procedures that will guide coordinated action between authorities.

Pakistan has stepped up scrutiny of travel and migration channels to deal with any forged documents and unauthorized agents facilitating illegal travel. Naqvi said the government was pursuing a zero-tolerance approach toward such networks and that he was personally overseeing enforcement efforts.

“Emphasizing that illegal immigration is a serious issue, he said a full-scale crackdown is underway against those attempting to go to the United States illegally,” the statement said, adding that “due to effective government measures, illegal immigration has declined by 47 percent, and those involved in fake documentation networks deserve no leniency.”

The interior minister also said Pakistan had introduced modern technology to make passports more secure, part of broader efforts to tighten controls and reduce document fraud.

The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation at multiple levels, including police training and coordination among law enforcement agencies, the statement said, as part of wider efforts to address cross-border crime and migration challenges.

The US diplomat said Washington attached special importance to relations with Pakistan and that closer cooperation would help strengthen bilateral ties, according to the interior ministry.