Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in several security-related areas, including counterterrorism, anti-narcotics efforts, cybercrime, immigration, coast guard operations and institutional training programmes. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UK Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis at the Ministry of Interior, where both sides also held delegation-level discussions on expanding cooperation between their respective institutions. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on Friday, the meeting focused on reviewing existing arrangements and identifying additional areas for collaboration. The discussions covered a range of security challenges that require coordination between national authorities, particularly those involving cross-border activities and international networks. Both countries expressed their interest in further strengthening their engagement through institutional cooperation, information-sharing and capacity-building initiatives. Cybercrime was among the key subjects discussed, with both sides recognising that digital offences increasingly extend beyond national boundaries and require coordinated responses. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the role of relevant law enforcement and government institutions in addressing shared security concerns. The broader cooperation agenda reflects the two countries’ intention to maintain engagement across traditional security matters as well as emerging challenges involving digital platforms, financial systems and cross-border criminal activities.
During the meeting, Jarvis acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices and efforts in counterterrorism and praised the performance of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in addressing illegal immigration. He also highlighted the international nature of cybercrime, stating that countries must work together to address the issue effectively. According to the ministry’s statement, Jarvis noted that Pakistan and the UK already maintained strong cooperation in several fields and wanted to expand their engagement further. The discussion around cybercrime reflects the importance of international coordination in dealing with digital offences that may involve victims, suspects, infrastructure and financial transactions across different jurisdictions. Cooperation between relevant authorities can support investigations, information exchange and efforts to address cyber-enabled criminal activity. Immigration-related matters also formed part of the discussions, with the UK minister recognising the work of FIA in efforts to curb illegal migration. In addition, both sides discussed coast guard operations and training programmes as areas where further cooperation could be developed. These subjects formed part of a wider security agenda covering the operational capabilities of relevant institutions and the need to strengthen coordination between agencies. The participation of officials from different Pakistani security and government institutions also allowed the discussions to cover multiple areas of bilateral engagement and identify opportunities for more structured cooperation.
A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to finalise a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on anti-narcotics cooperation in the near future. The proposed agreement is expected to make collaboration between the UK’s National Crime Agency and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) fully operational. The arrangement is intended to provide a formal framework for cooperation between the two agencies in addressing drug-related activities and strengthening coordination on relevant matters. During the discussions, Naqvi stated that Pakistani authorities had thwarted 330 cases involving drugs being smuggled to the UK over the past few years. The figure was shared as part of the meeting’s review of anti-narcotics efforts and the importance of continued engagement between the two countries. Formalising cooperation between the National Crime Agency and ANF could provide a more structured basis for institutional coordination in this area. Both sides also agreed to convene a meeting of the working group established between the interior ministries of Pakistan and the UK. The proposed meeting is expected to provide a platform for reviewing existing cooperation arrangements, discussing pending matters and determining further steps in the areas covered during the ministerial talks. The working group is intended to support continued engagement between the two ministries and help advance the commitments discussed by their representatives. Finalising the anti-narcotics MoU and convening the working group were among the practical steps agreed upon during the meeting.
The discussions also covered progress under the upskill project, which Jarvis praised for helping build the capacity of Pakistani institutions. The initiative was highlighted as part of the wider cooperation between Pakistan and the UK, particularly in strengthening institutional capabilities through professional development and training. Capacity-building programmes can help relevant agencies improve operational knowledge, develop specialised skills and respond more effectively to changing security requirements. The inclusion of training in the bilateral agenda reflects the importance both countries place on strengthening the capabilities of institutions involved in security and law enforcement. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott attended the meeting, along with officials from relevant Pakistani government and security institutions. Their participation brought together representatives involved in different areas of the cooperation agenda, including immigration, anti-narcotics and wider security matters. Both sides expressed their intention to continue working through established institutional channels, including the proposed agreement between the National Crime Agency and ANF and the working group between their interior ministries. The meeting represents a further step in Pakistan and the UK’s efforts to expand bilateral security engagement. Progress on the agreed areas will depend on continued coordination between the relevant institutions, the finalisation of proposed arrangements and the implementation of cooperation initiatives discussed during the talks.
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