ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker to discuss joint measures on counter-narcotics, security cooperation and curbing illegal immigration.
Both sides agreed to expand bilateral cooperation on drug interdiction and intelligence sharing. The US envoy also offered technical assistance to support Pakistan’s counter-narcotics efforts and its campaign against illegal migration.
Naqvi said the government has a clear policy on illegal immigration and that preventing drug smuggling through airports is a top priority. He noted that the installation of advanced scanning machines is under way at all airports and that the zero-tolerance policy is being strictly implemented.
The minister warned that narcotics from Afghanistan continue to reach multiple countries, posing a major threat to young people. He welcomed US technical support and said the National Narcotics Coordination Centre will be established soon on the prime minister’s instructions.
Officials briefed the meeting on the annual performance of the Anti-Narcotics Force. They reported that 134 tonnes of narcotics had been seized under the counter-narcotics campaign. A total of 2,001 suspects, including 75 foreign nationals, were arrested, and drugs worth $12.797 billion were intercepted. They added that 110 Afghan nationals were detained in operations across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, and 40,659 acres of poppy cultivation were cleared to maintain opium-free status.
Baker praised the ANF’s work and said the United States attaches great importance to its relationship with Pakistan and will continue cooperation in all areas.
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Naqvi said Pakistan–US relations are vital for promoting peace and stability in the region and that Pakistan is committed to strengthening these longstanding ties.
Senior officials from the Interior Ministry, ANF, US Embassy and other departments also attended the meeting.
