ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation against illegal activities, including illegal immigration, narcotics smuggling and terrorism.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and British Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Stephen Doughty in Islamabad.
Pakistan and the United Kingdom have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to curb illegal activities
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The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with particular focus on illegal immigration, counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism.
Both sides stressed the need for joint and stringent measures to curb the use of fake student visas by individuals seeking to travel to the UK.
The two sides also discussed the situation in the Middle East and Islamabad’s positive role in promoting regional peace. They emphasised the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region.
Joint Working Group
The progress made by the Joint Working Group during its 90-day period and the future course of action were also reviewed. The border situation with Afghanistan also came under discussion.
Speaking at the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said strict scrutiny was essential in cases involving Pakistani students travelling abroad on fake student visas.
He said the Anti-Narcotics Force had seized 55 metric tonnes of drugs being smuggled to the UK.
British Minister of State Stephen Doughty appreciated the country’s strong action against elements involved in online fraud in the country.
Pakistan, UK Vow to expand cooperation in trade
Earlier, State Minister Stephen Doughty held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during which both sides agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, economic growth, and education.
The discussions also covered stability in Afghanistan and efforts to reduce the risk of escalation in the region.
Education ties
Doughty met officials from the Higher Education Commission, university leaders and the British Council to discuss expanding transnational education and institutional links between the two countries.
The discussions covered university partnerships, access to UK qualifications and cooperation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, healthcare and technology.
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According to the UK government, more than 15,000 Pakistani students studied for UK qualifications in Pakistan through transnational education during 2024-25, an 83% increase over the past decade.
The South Asian nation is now the fourth-largest host country globally for UK transnational education, while UK institutions account for about 65% of the country’s TNE market.
The British Council plans to bring a delegation of UK universities to the country next March to explore further partnerships.
The two sides have an ambition to see more than 100 British universities working with the country’s institutions by the end of the decade.
