ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) agreed to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism and tackling illegal migration on Wednesday, according to a social media post by Pakistan’s interior ministry, as both sides seek to strengthen security and law enforcement ties.
Pakistan and the UK have coordinated to curb illegal migration and crime in recent years. In 2022, the two countries signed an agreement under which foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK can be returned to Pakistan.
Both sides discussed the possibility of further enhancing cooperation as British Deputy Foreign Minister Hamish Falconer called on Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss bilateral relations and the regional situation.
“During the meeting, an agreement was reached between the two countries to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including counterterrorism, countering illegal migration, institutional cooperation, and police training,” the Pakistani interior ministry said in a post on X.
“Action is being taken without discrimination against illegal migration and human smuggling in Pakistan.”
The British official also acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation efforts to end the war between the United States and Iran, saying its leadership had played a “historic role for peace” globally and adding that Pakistan was being portrayed as a “champion of global peace,” according to the statement.
The interior ministry said both ministers also agreed to work together to resolve the issue of fake student visas.
The meeting comes a day after Falconer pledged £8 million to support joint Pakistan-UK efforts to combat illegal migration and crime. The funding will be used to strengthen border and visa systems, bringing in expertise to help Pakistani law enforcement disrupt human trafficking networks.
The funding will also support the return of Pakistani citizens who have no legal right to remain in the UK and fund community-based programs in high-risk areas to address the root causes of illegal migration.
