- Interior Minister, British HC and US envoy discuss security, counterterrorism, and regional cooperation
- Naqvi vows to enhance institutional capacity, align internal reforms with global security efforts
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday held separate meetings with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and United States Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker to review bilateral relations, regional developments, and cooperation on security and counterterrorism, reflecting Islamabad’s broader diplomatic outreach aimed at strengthening partnerships with key Western allies.
According to the Interior Ministry, both meetings underscored Pakistan’s resolve to deepen ties with the United Kingdom and the United States across a range of shared priorities, from counter-narcotics and human trafficking to aviation, extradition, and mutual legal assistance.
Naqvi highlighted that Pakistan’s reengagement with the United Kingdom had entered a new phase, marked by the resumption of direct flight operations and the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Islamabad — a joint initiative designed to enhance the country’s institutional capacity to combat transnational crime and expedite extradition and legal cooperation mechanisms.
The minister expressed gratitude to the British government and High Commissioner Marriott for supporting Pakistan’s return to the UK’s aviation network after a five-year hiatus. “This resumption of flight operations symbolizes a new chapter of mutual confidence and connectivity between our two nations,” he noted.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operated its first flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday, following the airline’s receipt of the Third Country Operator (TCO) approval — a critical requirement for flight operations to European destinations. In the second phase, services will be expanded to Birmingham and London, reconnecting thousands of passengers on both sides.
Both sides also appreciated the Pakistan Navy’s contribution to international maritime security, particularly its recent anti-narcotics operation, which earned praise from the Combined Maritime Force (CMF) — a multinational partnership that includes the US Navy.
On October 23, Pakistan Navy ship PNS Yarmook seized narcotics worth more than $972 million from two separate sailboats in the Arabian Sea during a 48-hour coordinated mission. The operation, officials said, reflected Pakistan’s commitment to maritime safety and the global fight against drug trafficking.
During the meeting, Marriott informed the minister about the upcoming visit of the Director General of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) next month, during which memorandums of understanding (MoUs) will be signed in the fields of immigration and counter-narcotics.
Naqvi described the partnership with the UK as “institutionally deepening and strategically broadening,” crediting the Centre of Excellence project, backed by the British High Commission, for enhancing the capabilities of Pakistan’s law enforcement and justice systems. “The initiative will further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and the UK on mutual legal assistance and extradition matters,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The British High Commissioner reaffirmed her government’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Pakistan and praised Islamabad’s efforts in tackling security challenges. “We see the Centre of Excellence as an important symbol of UK–Pakistan cooperation, delivering tangible progress in countering organized crime,” Marriott said.
In his separate meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, the interior minister discussed the evolving regional security landscape, Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations, and continued cooperation under the US–Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue framework.
Baker lauded Pakistan’s sacrifices and determination in the fight against terrorism, describing the country’s counter-extremism efforts as “commendable and crucial to regional stability.” She reiterated Washington’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in enhancing its institutional resilience and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations” and emphasized that international cooperation remained vital to sustaining regional peace.
