Pakistan and UK ink pact on immigration

Pakistan and the United Kingdom Tuesday agreed to further improve co-operation to resolve counterterrorism and immigration issues. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, while addressing a joint press conference along with British Home Secretary Amber Rudd, termed the meeting with his counterpart as constructive and meaningful.
He said during the meeting they discussed a host of issues and two agreements have been signed as a result of meaningful discussions. "One pact is basically related to immigration, while another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is related to identify and clarify areas of co-operation between Pakistan and UK," he said. He added, "We have also decided to hold ministerial meetings on annual basis which will be chaired by respective home and interior ministers."
He said that the agenda of the meeting will include a range of issues including security, counterterrorism, narcotics, immigration, organised crime, and sharing information and intelligence. The minister said that Pakistan enjoys consistent and historical relations with the UK. "I do not recall any serious problem, which in any way has affected the good relations between the two countries. Yes, there are a few irritants and roadblocks but we have agreed to address them within the limits of our authority as well as within the limitation imposed by our respective systems and respective laws," he said.
He said that he hopes the bedrock of co-operation which has been historically built between the two countries, particularly in relation to security, will be carried forward between our two respective ministries and governments. The minister hoped that the British Prime Minister would visit Pakistan soon to carry forward the process of mutual collaboration in diverse fields.
British Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the two sides held constructive discussions on wide range of shared interests and they look forward to enhanced relationship in several areas. Rudd said that UK has unique ties with Pakistan as two per cent of its population traces their roots back to Pakistan. She said that they discussed issues related to security, immigration and justice.
"I would like to pay tribute to hard work of the interior minister as well as Pakistani police and armed forces in delivering significant improvement in security across Pakistan over the last two years," she said. However, she said that the challenge is still considerable and the two countries should work together for increased security for their peoples. This is important as a number of British nationals want to trade and invest in Pakistan, she said.
While referring to the challenge of terrorism, extremism and organised crime, she said that Pakistan has suffered the most from the scourge of terrorism. She said that special envoy of the British Prime Minister on Counterterrorism will be visiting Pakistan shortly to expand co-operation structured around Pakistan's own National Action Plan. "I hope this will include further work on building safer cities here," she said. She said she wants to see closer co-operation on extradition and mutual legal assistance to ensure that there is no escape from justice in either country.
Rudd said that Britain is providing assistance to make the new Islamabad International Airport safe and secure for travellers. She said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also raised the issue of founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) during the meeting. "I recognise the strength of feeling about this issue, as being home secretary I can not interfere in independent decision of police and Crown Prosecution Service," she said, adding that the matter is being dealt by the police and Crown Prosecution Service and she had faith in them.
However, she said that the principle of British justice applies on everyone equally with no exception. "I assured the interior minister within my powers that I am committed to work closely with Pakistan to ensure co-operation and facilitate application of justice in all cases," she said.
She said that there is absolutely no tolerance in the UK for illegal activities of people who think they can evade the law. Nisar said that the given the improved security situation of the country, "sky is the limit" to which the two countries can extend their co-operation with each other. To a question over how the UK could help improve relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Nisar said that a recent meeting attended by Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan national security adviser was held in London. The success of the talks could be gauged from the fact that Pakistan has opened its border at Torkham on Tuesday, he added.