Pakistan and UK agree to step up cooperation on illegal immigration and drugs

Pakistan and Britain have agreed to strengthen cooperation against illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorism, with a focus on fake student visas, Pakistan's interior ministry said on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks in Islamabad with Britain's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Stephen Doughty.

What did Pakistan and the UK agree on illegal immigration?

The two sides agreed to take joint action against people travelling to Britain on fake student visas.

They also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding aimed at preventing illegal activities and strengthening bilateral cooperation, the ministry said. Naqvi said strict scrutiny was needed in cases involving Pakistani students travelling abroad on fraudulent student visas.

What else did Pakistan and the UK discuss in Islamabad?

Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry held the talks with Doughty, where the two sides discussed bilateral ties, regional security and measures to curb illicit activities. They also reviewed progress made during the 90-day period of a joint working group and discussed its future course of action, including the security situation along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.

The meeting also covered developments in the Middle East and Pakistan's role in the region. Both sides stressed the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and promote regional stability.

What has Pakistan done to curb drugs and online fraud?

Naqvi highlighted the work of Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), saying it had seized 55 metric tons of drugs destined for Britain. Doughty welcomed Pakistan's action against people involved in online fraud, the ministry said.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, security counsellor Alasdair Grant and Secretary Matthew McMahon also attended the meeting.