Pakistan, UK join forces against terrorism and cybercrime

Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to expand security cooperation in several areas, including counter-terrorism, cybercrime, anti-narcotics operations, immigration control and coast guard activities.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UK Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis at the Ministry of Interior on Friday. Both sides also held delegation-level discussions to explore ways of strengthening bilateral security ties.

During the meeting, Jarvis acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices and efforts in combating terrorism. He also praised the performance of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in tackling illegal immigration.

The British minister stressed the need for international cooperation to address cybercrime, describing it as a challenge that required coordinated efforts by countries worldwide. He said Pakistan and the UK already maintained strong cooperation in several areas and expressed a desire to expand the partnership further.

Both countries also agreed to finalise a memorandum of understanding on anti-narcotics cooperation in the near future. The proposed agreement aims to make collaboration between the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) fully operational.

Naqvi informed the British delegation that Pakistani authorities had thwarted 330 cases involving drug smuggling to the United Kingdom over the past few years.

The two sides further agreed to convene a meeting of the working group established between their respective interior ministries to advance cooperation on security-related matters.

Jarvis also appreciated progress under the Upskill Project, which aims to strengthen the professional capabilities and institutional capacity of Pakistani organisations.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and senior officials from relevant Pakistani security and government institutions also attended the meeting.

The discussions reflect both countries’ efforts to deepen their partnership in addressing cross-border security threats, organised crime, illegal immigration and emerging cyber challenges.