Pakistan and the United States have moved to deepen cooperation in counter-narcotics, intelligence sharing, and border security following a high-level meeting in Islamabad between Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker.
The discussion underscored the growing urgency of collaborative measures to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration affecting both countries and the wider region.
Minister Naqvi outlined Pakistan’s current security priorities, emphasizing that drug smuggling from Afghanistan remains a transnational threat, impacting youth and public health far beyond regional borders. He welcomed the United States’ offer to provide technical assistance to help modernize Pakistan’s counter-narcotics capabilities and surveillance systems.
According to the Interior Ministry, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force has intensified operations over the past year, seizing 134 tons of narcotics and arresting 2,001 suspects, including 75 foreign nationals.
Operations were conducted across multiple provinces, with 110 Afghan nationals apprehended in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.
Authorities also cleared 40,659 acres of land previously used for illegal drug cultivation, helping disrupt major trafficking networks.
The estimated global value of the seized narcotics reached $12.8 billion, highlighting both the scale of Pakistan’s enforcement actions and the lucrative nature of international drug markets.
Ambassador Baker praised the results and acknowledged the ANF’s capabilities, noting that Washington would continue to extend technical, training and operational support.
The meeting also addressed the persistent challenge of illegal immigration, an issue that has gained increased attention amid global migration pressures.
Minister Naqvi said Pakistan is adopting a clear and strict policy, including installing advanced scanning systems at airports and strengthening screening protocols at transit points.
Both delegations agreed that intelligence sharing and rapid coordination are essential to deter the movement of undocumented individuals and prevent exploitation by trafficking networks.
Ambassador Baker called Pakistan a critical partner in regional stability, expressing US readiness to collaborate on border management systems and anti-smuggling technologies.
Minister Naqvi reiterated that Pak-US relations remain central to regional peace efforts, adding that strengthening cooperation could help address emerging security threats more effectively.
The talks reflect a broader shift in bilateral engagement, moving beyond traditional security concerns and toward joint institutional capacity-building.
Officials from both countries signaled optimism that continued engagement could reinforce long-standing ties and help address shared geopolitical challenges tied to narcotics imports, organized crime, and irregular migration.