The United Kingdom has announced an additional £8 million in funding to bolster collaborative efforts with Pakistan aimed at combating crime and illegal migration. This financial support is intended to reinforce border and visa control systems while enhancing law enforcement capabilities to dismantle people smuggling and trafficking networks.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the British High Commission confirmed that UK Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, made this commitment during his visit to Islamabad. The funds will also facilitate the return of individuals without legal status in the UK and support community-based initiatives in high-risk regions to address the underlying causes of illegal migration.
The funding package includes measures to improve identity verification and information-sharing processes, strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate smuggling operations, and expand prevention programs that reduce vulnerability to exploitation within communities.
Falconer described the UK-Pakistan partnership as “critical” for safeguarding both global and UK national security, particularly in tackling terrorist threats, visa fraud, and serious organized crime. He emphasized that the partnership is being elevated with this additional funding to deter illegal migration and address its root causes directly at the source.
During the first day of his Islamabad visit, Falconer personally expressed gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for Pakistan’s instrumental role in facilitating the US-Iran deal. He called the agreement a “hugely significant moment” and praised Pakistan’s efforts in promoting regional stability.
Falconer stated that the UK stands ready to collaborate with Pakistan to support a sustainable peace process and acknowledged Pakistan’s key role in the negotiations. He also highlighted ongoing UK and partner efforts to ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Looking ahead to the second day of his visit, Falconer is scheduled to witness a live demonstration of joint law enforcement operations targeting illegal migration. Supported by UK resources, this exercise involves Pakistani authorities intercepting individuals with invalid visas at airports, ensuring that only legitimate travelers and students are permitted to travel to the UK.
