Pakistan and UK Strengthen Ties in Fight Against Terrorism and Organized Crime
Pakistan and UK Strengthen Ties in Fight Against Terrorism and Organized Crime
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Rt. Hon. David Lammy, in a high-level discussion aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Interior, focused on key areas of mutual interest, including counterterrorism, organized crime prevention, and developmental partnerships.
Minister Naqvi emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, describing the country as a "strong wall" in the global fight against extremism. He expressed Pakistan’s desire to further deepen its strategic relationship with the UK, particularly in areas of security and law enforcement.
The Interior Minister commended the UK’s support under the UPSCALE Programme, a collaborative initiative designed to tackle transnational crime. He noted that the program has been instrumental in addressing critical issues such as illegal immigration, online child exploitation, mutual legal assistance, extradition, criminal record exchanges, sex offender management, illicit financing, and counter-narcotics efforts.
Highlighting the tangible outcomes of this partnership, Naqvi revealed that with the assistance of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) recently confiscated 4.3 tons of opium, with an estimated street value of £22 million. He stated that such successes demonstrate the effectiveness of joint efforts in disrupting serious and organized crime networks.
Foreign Secretary Lammy acknowledged Pakistan’s crucial role in facilitating the relocation of Afghan refugees to the UK and expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the UPSCALE Programme. He reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan across various sectors, including security and development.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, Federal Interior Secretary, Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and senior UK officials. The discussions underscored the shared resolve of both nations to foster closer collaboration in addressing global security challenges and advancing mutual interests.
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