Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker on Saturday to discuss boosting bilateral collaboration in counter-narcotics operations, intelligence sharing, and overall security measures.
Both sides stressed the need for joint efforts to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Minister Naqvi outlined Pakistan’s ongoing counter-narcotics initiatives, noting that narcotics originating from Afghanistan continue to harm youth across the world. He welcomed the United States’ offer to provide technical support to reinforce Pakistan’s anti-drug strategies.
The Interior Ministry briefed Ambassador Baker on the Anti-Narcotics Force’s performance, reporting the seizure of 134 tons of narcotics this year and the arrest of 2,001 suspects, including 75 foreigners. Operations across several provinces led to the arrest of 110 Afghan nationals in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh, and the clearance of 40,659 acres of drug cultivation. The seized drugs carried an estimated street value of $12.797 billion.
The meeting also reviewed steps to curb illegal immigration. Naqvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm policy on preventing unauthorized movement, adding that modern scanning systems are being installed at airports to further tighten border controls.
Both officials agreed to enhance cooperation and intelligence sharing to prevent illicit crossings into Pakistan and beyond. Ambassador Baker commended the ANF’s achievements and reiterated Washington’s commitment to providing technical assistance in counter-narcotics and immigration control. Minister Naqvi emphasized that strong Pakistan–US relations remain essential for regional peace and stability and expressed resolve to deepen long-standing bilateral ties.
