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Pakistan, US Agree to Deepen Security and Immigration Cooperation in Islamabad Talks
Pakistan and the US agreed to intensify cooperation on security, counter-narcotics and illegal immigration during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker in Islamabad.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-06
Pakistan, US Agree to Deepen Security and Immigration Cooperation in Islamabad Talks

Pakistan and the United States on Saturday agreed to strengthen cooperation in security, counter-narcotics, and immigration management during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker in Islamabad.

Both sides discussed ways to expand collaboration in intelligence sharing, disrupt drug-trafficking networks, and coordinate measures to curb illegal migration. The US envoy assured Washington’s full technical assistance to Pakistan in preventing unauthorised cross-border movement and tackling narcotics smuggling.

Focus on Counter-Narcotics and Airport Security

Ambassador Baker highlighted the importance of identifying drug-trafficking attempts at airports and noted that state-of-the-art scanning machines were being installed at major airports across Pakistan. She said the technological upgrades would greatly enhance Pakistan’s capacity to intercept narcotics.

Interior Minister Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s zero-tolerance policy toward drugs, stressing that narcotics originating from Afghanistan continue to reach dozens of countries and “destroy young generations.” He welcomed the US offer of technical support and said Pakistan was committed to strengthening its counter-narcotics framework.

Naqvi also informed the envoy that, as directed by the prime minister, Pakistan would soon establish the National Narcotics Coordination Centre to centralise and streamline counter-drug operations.

A Broader Recalibration of Ties

The latest meeting builds on a renewed push by both countries to stabilise and expand bilateral relations. Earlier in November, Islamabad’s envoy described the evolving partnership as one aimed at building an “economically entrenched strategic relationship.”

After years of fluctuating engagement and recurring mistrust, Pakistan and the US have increasingly highlighted economic cooperation — alongside traditional security ties — as a foundation for long-term stability. In recent months, US officials have underscored Pakistan’s potential role in regional stability and its capacity to contribute to energy and connectivity projects in South and Central Asia.

The Trump administration has also encouraged American firms to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s infrastructure, minerals, and technology sectors. For Islamabad, the renewed tone in Washington offers a chance to diversify its foreign partnerships, while the US appears keen to balance Pakistan’s reliance on China by engaging more deeply on economic and developmental fronts.

High-Level Exchanges

The strategic shift has been accompanied by increased high-level engagement. In October, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington sees a growing opportunity to expand its strategic relationship with Pakistan — while emphasising that stronger ties with Islamabad would not come at the expense of its relationship with India.

In September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Donald Trump at the Oval Office, where both leaders discussed regional security dynamics and cooperation in counter-terrorism.

Steady Momentum in a Complex Partnership

Saturday’s meeting in Islamabad underscores a continued thaw in Pakistan-US relations, with both sides seeking to anchor the partnership in long-term economic, security, and regional stability objectives. As counter-narcotics and immigration challenges intensify across the region, Islamabad and Washington appear committed to deeper coordination and sustained engagement.
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SecurityCooperation

PakistanUS

CounterNarcotics
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