ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Myanmar have agreed to strengthen cooperation to provide consular support to each other’s nationals, particularly those who fall victim to scamming gangs, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Monday.
The agreement comes amid growing concern over scam centers operating in Myanmar’s lawless border regions. The criminal networks are reportedly worth billions of dollars annually and employ thousands of foreign workers.
Many workers say they were trafficked or deceived into joining the operations. Survivors have reported abuse, including beatings, at the hands of criminal gangs. Myanmar’s ongoing civil war has further complicated efforts to dismantle the scam compounds, most of which operate outside the ruling junta’s control.
Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Than Swe arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for a four-day official visit to discuss bilateral cooperation.
“The two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to facilitate consular assistance to each other’s nationals, particularly victims of scamming gangs,” Dar told reporters during a joint press stakeout with Swe.
He said both countries would maintain close coordination through relevant channels to ensure effective cooperation.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, said the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between their foreign ministries.
He said the mechanism would enable regular engagement and sustained dialogue on bilateral, regional, and international issues.
Swe said Myanmar was keen to sign additional agreements with Pakistan to promote and protect trade and investment.
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He said Myanmar also sought to expand business-to-business cooperation alongside government-level engagement.
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Myanmar date back to 1948, when Pakistan was among the first countries to
recognize Myanmar following its independence.
