Islamabad: Pakistan and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the domains of counterterrorism, security, and immigration. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and British Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Hamish Falconer, in Islamabad.
According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting involved a detailed discussion on Pakistan-UK relations and the broader regional situation, with a special focus on expanding cooperation in counterterrorism, illegal immigration, institutional cooperation, and police training. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlighted the progress achieved through the Upskill Project, noting its significant impact on enhancing the capacity of Pakistani institutions.
The Pakistani government, as emphasized by Naqvi, is committed to strengthening professional standards and institutional capabilities through international partnerships. The two sides also agreed to work closely on addressing the issue of fraudulent student visas, a growing concern for both countries.
Minister Naqvi stressed Pakistan's ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration networks and human trafficking syndicates, underscoring the government's determination to dismantle criminal groups exploiting vulnerable individuals. He also highlighted regional security concerns, informing the British official that several terrorist organizations are operating from Afghan soil and urging the Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
The Interior Minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to stronger relations with the UK, valuing the longstanding partnership and expressing a desire to enhance cooperation across multiple fields for mutual benefit. The British Under-Secretary of State appreciated Pakistan's constructive role in facilitating understanding between the United States and Iran, acknowledging Pakistan's efforts as a significant step toward regional and global peace.
Additionally, the British official commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their historic role in promoting peace and stability.
