Pakistan, UK agree to deepen cooperation in security, trade and migration

On Thursday, Pakistan and the United Kingdom announced plans to strengthen their cooperation across various sectors, according to the Foreign Office (FO). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with UK Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis in Islamabad, where both parties reviewed their existing bilateral ties and expressed a desire to "further deepen cooperation" in areas such as security, law enforcement, migration, trade, and investment.

The FO also noted that Dar and Jarvis discussed regional and global developments and considered scheduling additional meetings under the R4 + E4 framework, which refers to a meeting of regional groups in Istanbul earlier this month.

The FO reported that Ishaq Dar emphasized the significance of ongoing Pakistan-UK collaboration on bilateral matters and shared concerns about regional developments of mutual interest. Earlier in the week, Pakistan and the UK jointly expressed alarm over terrorism originating from Afghanistan during their annual bilateral counter-terrorism dialogue in Islamabad.

The two sides engaged in an in-depth discussion about the evolving security landscape in the region and shared perspectives on threats posed by terrorist entities, including transnational networks. Both nations expressed concern over the persistent threat posed by groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, which operates both in and from Afghanistan.

They emphasized the urgent need for a stable, secure Afghanistan as a foundation for enduring peace and prosperity throughout the region.

Pakistan and the United Kingdom have maintained an Enhanced Strategic Dialogue since 2011, which has facilitated the expansion and deepening of their dialogue. This ongoing conversation covers a range of topics, including trade, economic growth and development, cultural cooperation, security, and education.