Intelligence cooperation: Pakistan, UK vow to fight terrorism in S Asia

London pledges coordination with Islamabad in fight against militancy.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Britain have agreed upon enhancing intelligence cooperation to fight terrorism involving crackdown against al Qaeda and other militant groups in the South Asian region.

For this purpose, Tobias Martin Ellwood, British Minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, called on Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Ellwood is dealing with counter-terrorism and international security affairs in the UK. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Philip Barton also accompanied Ellwood in the meeting where both sides also shared updates on the Imran Farooq murder case, officials of the ministry privy to the meeting said.

Chaudhry Nisar informed the UK minister that the government is also in contact with Afghan officials to trace the main accused, Kashif, who is believed to be living in Afghanistan.

Both leaders also discussed issues of Baloch militants seeking asylum in London and proactive speeches of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Altaf Hussain.

Chaudhry Nisar updated the visiting minister over the ongoing National Action Plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2015.