Pakistan, UK to strengthen security cooperation

ISLAMABAD:

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry met with the UK's Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, on Friday.

The meeting focused on the Pakistan-UK relations and key matters of mutual interest.

Both sides discussed in detail the security situation, issues related to Afghanistan, and the extradition requests Pakistan has sent to the UK.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on the Upscale Programme, particularly cooperation on tackling serious crimes and the process of relocating Afghan nationals to the UK.

As uncertainty deepens, thousands of Afghan families remain stranded in Pakistan.

According to statistics of July 2024, at least 44,000 Afghans approved for relocation to western countries after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 were still in Pakistan, awaiting transfer. This group includes 25,000 destined for the United States, 9,000 for Australia, 6,000 for Canada, 3,000 for Germany, and more than 1,000 for the United Kingdom.

Fresh figures on the relocation process were not available. However, the slow pace of relocation since the initiative began in late 2021 suggests minimal progress.

Over the years, Pakistan has engaged with the governments that had pledged to resettle these individuals, urging them to expedite the approval and visa processes.

The resettlement efforts followed the evacuation of over 120,000 Afghans during the chaotic US-led Nato withdrawal from Afghanistan. Since then, approximately 1.25 million Afghans have fled the Taliban rule, with an estimated 600,000 entering Pakistan.

Despite early momentum, the relocation process slowed significantly, leaving thousands in limbo. In November 2023, Pakistan initiated a drive to expel undocumen­ted foreigners, affecting Afghans.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry emphasised that under the Upscale Programme, collaboration on addressing serious offences and enhancing security cooperation will be further strengthened.

Baroness Chapman praised Pakistan's efforts in improving immigration cooperation between the two countries and expressed the UK's commitment to expanding joint initiatives.