Acknowledging that illegal immigration was a serious issue, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said that a massive crackdown was underway against those heading to the USA illegally and illegal immigration had come down by 47 percent courtesy steps taken by the government.
He was speaking to Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the US embassy Natalie Baker in Islamabad.
Mohsin Naqvi and Natalie Baker discussed in details the significance of cracking down on illegal immigration and pre-immigration clearance system.
It was decided during the meeting that under comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) a joint operation will be launched against fake and fraud visa networks.
The minister said that those involved in fake visa and documents networks deserved no mercy and he was personally supervising the operation against such persons.
He further said that there was zero tolerance against agent mafia. “We will welcome the US cooperation in the crackdown against members of the mafia,” he added.
Naqvi informed the US official that passports were being made foolproof with the help of latest technology.
Speaking on the occasion, Natalie said that the US attached special importance to its relations with Pakistan. “Our priorities are the same,” she said, adding that an increase in bilateral cooperation would further strengthen relations between the two countries.
There was a detailed discussion on Pak-US relations and increasing cooperation in sectors of mutual interest.
Both also discussed steps needed to be taken to stop illegal immigration.
It was agreed that the two countries would increase collaboration with each other at every level for the training of the personnel of law-enforcement agencies, including police.
