Pakistan UK US Security Cooperation Takes Center Stage in Minister Naqvi’s Diplomacy
A significant enhancement of Pakistan UK US security cooperation was the focal point of separate high-level meetings held by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi with senior British and American diplomats. In discussions with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, the dialogues underscored a concerted effort to deepen bilateral ties, with a strong emphasis on collaborative security initiatives, regional stability, and shared strategic interests. These engagements highlight Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic outreach to fortify its partnerships with key Western nations.
According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, the conversations centered on advancing collaboration in critical areas such as counter-narcotics, combating human trafficking, and overall security enhancement. The resumption of direct flight operations between Pakistan and the UK after a five-year interval was celebrated as a major milestone, symbolizing the revitalization of the bilateral relationship. Minister Naqvi expressed his gratitude to the British government and High Commissioner Marriott for this development, which saw Pakistan International Airlines launch its inaugural flight to Manchester, with plans to extend services to Birmingham and London.
Deepening the UK-Pakistan Security Partnership
The foundation for the expanding Pakistan UK US security cooperation was further solidified with the briefing on upcoming high-level visits. High Commissioner Marriott informed Minister Naqvi about the scheduled trip of the Director General of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) next month. This visit is expected to yield concrete outcomes, with memorandums of understanding set to be signed in the fields of immigration and counter-narcotics. These agreements will formalize and intensify joint efforts to tackle transnational organized crime.
A key initiative highlighted during the talks was the newly established Centre of Excellence in Islamabad, a project supported by the British High Commission. Minister Naqvi emphasized that this center is crucial for building the capacity of Pakistani institutions. He stated that the facility would significantly strengthen bilateral cooperation on mutual legal assistance and extradition matters, providing a modern framework for legal and judicial collaboration. Both envoys also commended the Pakistan Navy for its recent, highly successful anti-narcotics operation in the Arabian Sea, which led to the seizure of drugs worth over $972 million.
US Reaffirms Commitment to Counterterrorism Collaboration
The parallel meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker reinforced the security dimension of the Pakistan UK US security cooperation framework. Chargé d’Affaires Baker praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts in the fight against terrorism and extremism, describing them as commendable. She pledged Washington’s continued partnership and collaboration in the realms of security and counterterrorism, aligning with recent structured dialogues between the two nations.
This commitment was contextualized by the recent US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue held in August, which involved Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo. Co-chaired by Special Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir, the dialogue advanced a shared resolve to combat global terrorist threats. Both delegations had underscored the critical importance of developing effective strategies to address threats posed by specific groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Minister Naqvi, in turn, reiterated Pakistan’s determination to work closely with the international community to eliminate the scourge of terrorism, positioning these talks as a continuation of that steadfast policy.
