A delegation from the British Home Office, led by Simon Ridley, engaged in discussions with Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani, with the participation of British High Commissioner Jane Marriott.
The meeting aimed to address mutual concerns and enhance collaboration, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and human trafficking prevention.
Both parties expressed their commitment to intensifying cooperation among the law enforcement agencies of Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The progress on extradition agreements between the two nations was also reviewed during the meeting.
Simon Ridley raised concerns about fake universities in the UK and the need to discourage individuals staying illegally on student visas. He highlighted the ongoing digitization of the visa system for Pakistani nationals, emphasizing that it would streamline the visa acquisition process.
Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani conveyed that Pakistan is actively facilitating the transfer of Afghan refugees to Britain. He informed the delegation about the government’s recent decision to reduce the fee for overstaying by illegal migrants from $800 to $400. The discussions underscored the mutual commitment to addressing shared challenges and fostering stronger collaboration on various fronts.
