UK announces additional £8 million to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan against crime and illegal migration
Celina Ali
Islamabad: United Kingdom Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer, this week announced an additional £8 million in funding to enhance joint UK-Pakistan efforts aimed at combating crime, disrupting human-smuggling networks and curbing illegal migration. He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s role in supporting diplomatic initiatives that contributed to the recent agreement between the United States and Iran.
During his visit to Islamabad, Falconer met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and personally conveyed the UK’s gratitude for Pakistan’s constructive contribution to the diplomatic process that helped facilitate the breakthrough between Washington and Tehran.
According to the British High Commission, the new funding package is designed to deepen cooperation between the two countries in addressing illegal migration and tackling the underlying factors that drive individuals to undertake dangerous and irregular journeys. The initiative will support improvements in border management and visa systems, while providing technical assistance and expertise to Pakistani law-enforcement agencies to strengthen their capacity to dismantle human-smuggling and trafficking networks.
The funding will also be used to improve identity verification systems, enhance information-sharing mechanisms, and bolster investigative capabilities targeting organised criminal groups involved in migration-related offences. In addition, it will finance community-based programmes in areas considered vulnerable to irregular migration, focusing on prevention, awareness and reducing the risk of exploitation.
A key component of the package includes support for the return of individuals who do not have a legal right to remain in the United Kingdom, alongside measures aimed at promoting safe and lawful migration pathways.
During discussions with Pakistan’s senior leadership, both sides reviewed a broad range of issues, including regional developments, Pakistan’s economic outlook, ongoing structural reforms, fiscal priorities, institutional modernisation and opportunities to further expand economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Hamish Falconer noted that the UK-Pakistan partnership remains vital in addressing shared security challenges, including terrorism, visa fraud and organised crime, adding that the newly announced funding reflects both countries’ determination to strengthen cooperation in these areas.
Falconer further praised Pakistan’s role in encouraging dialogue and supporting regional peace efforts, stating that the UK and its international partners would continue working together to promote stability and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of his engagements, the British minister observed a live demonstration of joint law-enforcement operations supported by the UK. The initiative assists Pakistani authorities in identifying and preventing non-genuine visa holders from travelling, helping ensure that only legitimate travellers and students proceed to the United Kingdom.
Separately, Falconer met with Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division, where both sides discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
