Pakistan, UK agree to resolve counter terrorism, immigration issues

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom had an extensive exchange of views on security problems and have agreed to resolve counter terrorism and immigration issues.

After their meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan and his British counterpart Amber Rudd described their talks as constructive and meaningful.

The Interior Minister said the two countries discussed sharing of intelligence and exchange of information. He said that after detailed discussion the two sides have signed a memorandum of understanding for enhanced cooperation in the realm of security.

The Minister said that both countries will work together to resolve the common problems being faced by the two countries including security, counter-terrorism and immigration.

Ch. Nisar Ali Khan acknowledged that there are few irritants and road-blocks and they have agreed to address them within the limitations of their authority and respective systems.

The Minister hoped that the British Prime Minister would visit Pakistan at the soonest to carry forward the process of mutual collaboration in diverse fields.

British Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the two sides had constructive discussions on wide range of shared interests and look forward to enhanced relationship in several areas.

She said they discussed issues of security, immigration and justice.

The British Home Secretary appreciated that due to hard work by Government of Pakistan and its law enforcing agencies, there has been significant improvement in security across Pakistan over the last two years. She, however, said the challenge is still considerable and the two countries should work together for increased security for their people. She said this important as a number of British national want to trade and invest in Pakistan.

She referred to the challenge of terrorism, extremism and organized crime and said Pakistan has suffered the most from the scourge of terrorism.  She said special envoy of the British Prime Minister on Counter Terrorism will be visiting Pakistan shortly to expand cooperation structured around Pakistan's own National Action Plan.