UK announces £8 million package to strengthen anti-crime and illegal migration cooperation with Pakistan

The United Kingdom has announced an additional £8 million in funding to strengthen joint efforts with Pakistan to combat organised crime, people smuggling and illegal migration, with the package aimed at improving border security, visa systems and law enforcement capabilities.

According to a statement issued by the British High Commission, the commitment was announced by UK Minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer during his visit to Islamabad.

The funding will support improvements to border management, identity verification and information-sharing systems, while enhancing the ability of Pakistani law enforcement agencies to investigate and dismantle people smuggling and human trafficking networks.

The package will also assist in the return of individuals with no legal right to remain in the United Kingdom and expand community-based programmes in high-risk areas to address the root causes of illegal migration and reduce vulnerability to exploitation.

The British High Commission said the initiative includes measures to strengthen investigations into organised criminal networks, improve coordination between authorities and expand prevention programmes aimed at discouraging illegal migration.

Falconer described the UK-Pakistan partnership as critical to safeguarding regional and global security, saying the two countries were working closely to tackle terrorist threats, visa fraud and serious organised crime.

“We are taking this partnership and our cooperation to a new level, with additional funding to deter illegal migration and target drivers from the source,” he said.

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During the first day of his visit, Falconer also met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s role in helping facilitate the recent US-Iran agreement.

He described the agreement as a significant development and thanked Pakistan for its contribution to diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting regional stability.

Falconer said Pakistan had played an important role in supporting negotiations and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working with international partners to promote lasting peace and ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The British High Commission said Falconer will witness a live demonstration on the second day of his visit showcasing joint UK-Pakistan efforts to curb illegal migration. The demonstration will highlight how Pakistani authorities, with UK support, identify and stop non-genuine visa holders at airports, ensuring that only eligible travellers and students are permitted to travel to the United Kingdom.