Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, held a crucial meeting with Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Country Director, Lynn Nelson, on Tuesday. The discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan-US ties, particularly in the fields of law enforcement, security, and counter terrorism cooperation.
During the meeting, Ambassador Baker expressed her condolences regarding the recent tragic deaths of police officers and Rangers personnel in Islamabad, underscoring the shared commitment between both nations to combat such security challenges.
Minister Naqvi outlined Pakistan’s plans to modernize its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), emphasizing the government’s efforts to model the agency’s operations after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In response, US officials offered technical support for this initiative, highlighting their commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s law enforcement capabilities. Naqvi stressed that these efforts were vital for improving the country’s ability to address evolving security threats.
“We are grateful for the ongoing US support in strengthening our law enforcement infrastructure. It is vital for Pakistan to enhance its response mechanisms to emerging security concerns,” said Naqvi.
The conversation also touched on the importance of equipping Pakistan’s Civil Armed Forces with advanced technology and modern tools to counter terrorism and respond more effectively to emergencies. Minister Naqvi highlighted that Pakistan needed more modern equipment to better tackle the growing threats posed by extremism and internal security issues.
Ambassador Baker reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts in law enforcement reforms. She acknowledged the progress Pakistan has made in strengthening its police forces and reiterated the US’s support for initiatives that would continue to improve law enforcement in Pakistan.
The two sides also discussed the representation of women in law enforcement agencies. Both the US and Pakistani representatives agreed that increasing the role of women in the sector was essential to improving the overall effectiveness of the law enforcement system.
Additionally, Minister Naqvi assured the US officials that Pakistan would continue to honor its commitment to foreign nationals with legal documentation, ensuring that no lawful foreign resident would face expulsion from Islamabad.
However, he emphasized that illegal immigrants would not be allowed to stay in the capital, highlighting the government’s firm stance on immigration control.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including Khurram Ali Agha, the Federal Secretary of the Interior, and Additional Secretary Riffat Mukhtar Raja. Their participation helped facilitate deeper discussions on the ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
