Pakistan and the United Kingdom have reiterated their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations, with an emphasis on expanding cooperation in security, law enforcement, and addressing migration challenges. This development emerged during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and British Deputy Foreign Secretary Hamish Falconer.
The discussions centered on Pakistan-UK relations and the broader regional context, with both parties exchanging views on key issues such as counterterrorism, illegal migration, institutional collaboration, and police training initiatives. Falconer notably praised Pakistan’s proactive and constructive role in fostering dialogue between the United States and Iran, describing Islamabad’s efforts as a crucial step toward achieving regional and global peace.
He specifically commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir for their “historic role” in advancing peace and stability in the region. the British official, these efforts, which helped ease tensions between Washington and Tehran, have positioned Pakistan as a significant advocate for global peace.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Naqvi highlighted the progress made through the Upskill Project, emphasizing that the initiative has yielded promising results and substantially strengthened the capacity of Pakistani institutions. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing professional standards and institutional capabilities through international partnerships.
Both sides agreed to broaden cooperation across various sectors, including counterterrorism, curbing illegal migration, institutional development, and law enforcement training programs. They also committed to jointly tackling the rising issue of fraudulent student visas, which has become a growing concern for authorities in both countries.
Naqvi stressed Pakistan’s firm stance against illegal migration networks and human trafficking syndicates, underlining the government’s resolve to dismantle criminal organizations exploiting vulnerable populations. Addressing regional security matters, he pointed out that several terrorist groups continue to operate from Afghan territory and urged the Afghan government to prevent its soil from being used for hostile activities against Pakistan.
Reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening ties with London, Naqvi expressed that Pakistan values its longstanding partnership with the United Kingdom and aims to deepen cooperation across multiple fields for mutual benefit.
The meeting was also attended by federal ministers Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Talal Chaudhry, and Aoun Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, along with senior officials from the Federal Investigation Agency and national law enforcement agencies.
