ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to expand cooperation across several security sectors, including counterterrorism, narcotics control, cybercrime and immigration, following meetings between British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis and senior Pakistani officials.
The discussions, held during Jarvis’s visit to Pakistan, focused on shared security challenges, regional stability and measures to improve coordination between law enforcement agencies in both countries.
Jarvis met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. The meetings also covered developments in Afghanistan, regional security and efforts to tackle serious organised crime.
Both sides agreed to strengthen practical cooperation against terrorist networks, criminal organisations, illegal immigration and visa fraud. They also emphasised improved intelligence and information sharing, closer institutional coordination and more effective action against cross-border criminal activity.
Jarvis said Pakistan and Britain faced common security threats and could make both countries safer by working together. He stressed the importance of joint efforts in addressing challenges that increasingly extend beyond national borders.
During his visit to the Interior Ministry, the British minister held delegation-level talks with Naqvi and Pakistani officials. The discussions covered a broad range of areas, including counterterrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, immigration, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), coast guards and professional training.
Jarvis praised the performance of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency in preventing illegal immigration. He also described cybercrime as an international challenge that required coordinated action by governments and law enforcement agencies.
The British minister acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices and efforts in combating terrorism, recognising the security challenges faced by the country.
Drug trafficking cooperation
A key outcome of the discussions was an agreement to finalise a memorandum of understanding on counter-narcotics cooperation in the near future.
The proposed agreement is intended to strengthen coordination between Britain’s National Crime Agency and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force, making cooperation between the two institutions fully operational.
Naqvi said Pakistani authorities had foiled 330 cases involving drug smuggling to the United Kingdom over the past several years. He highlighted the importance of closer cooperation to disrupt trafficking networks and prevent illegal shipments.
The proposed arrangement is expected to provide a more structured framework for information sharing and joint action against organised drug trafficking. Both countries have an interest in preventing criminal networks from exploiting international transport routes and differences in national enforcement systems.
Institutional coordination and training
The two governments also agreed to convene a meeting of the working group established between their interior ministries soon.
The working group is expected to provide a platform for reviewing progress, identifying areas requiring further cooperation and coordinating practical measures between relevant departments.
Naqvi also praised progress under the Upskill Project, describing it as an important initiative for improving the professional capacity of Pakistani institutions.
The discussions included training programmes and institutional development, reflecting an effort to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to respond to increasingly complex security threats.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and senior representatives of Pakistan’s interior ministry, immigration authorities, law enforcement agencies and security institutions attended the meetings.
The visit underlined the importance both countries attach to security cooperation, particularly as organised crime, cyber threats and illegal migration increasingly involve international networks.
Although the discussions covered several areas, officials did not announce a detailed implementation timetable for all the proposed measures. The planned counter-narcotics agreement and upcoming working group meeting are expected to provide further opportunities to translate the commitments into practical cooperation.
