Pakistan and Poland pledged deeper cooperation against human smuggling as Interior Minister Naqvi vowed a nationwide crackdown and tighter border surveillance.
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: In a meeting that highlighted the growing international urgency around migration and border control, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Senator Mohsin Naqvi described illegal immigration as an “extremely sensitive issue” for the country, during talks with a visiting Polish delegation in Islamabad. The discussions, led by Poland’s Deputy Interior Minister Bartosz Grodecki, reflected a shared recognition of the complex security challenges tied to transnational crime and human smuggling networks operating across regions.
The high-level talks brought together senior officials from both sides, including Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior and its ambassador to Poland, underscoring the depth of engagement on an issue that has come to define modern security policy. With Europe continuing to confront an influx of irregular migrants and Pakistan seeking to curb networks that exploit its territory as a transit route, the meeting served as a platform to align priorities and strengthen cooperation.
Senator Naqvi assured his Polish counterparts that Pakistan was pursuing a “full-scale crackdown” on organized human smuggling rings. He detailed active operations targeting the criminal mafias responsible for trafficking individuals through dangerous and illegal routes—a practice that has often resulted in tragic loss of life. The minister also emphasized the government’s resolve to tighten surveillance and enhance enforcement across land and maritime borders, identifying the country’s extensive coastline as a key vulnerability frequently exploited by smugglers.
To address this, Naqvi announced concrete steps to increase both manpower and resources for the Pakistan Coast Guard, marking a broader effort to reinforce coastal security.
Following the talks, both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in combating illegal immigration, improving border management practices, and accelerating legal cooperation mechanisms. They also agreed to expand formal channels of communication between their governments, signaling a more strategic and coordinated partnership moving forward.
The meeting closed on a note of mutual understanding, positioning Pakistan and Poland as partners in the effort to build safer borders and more effective responses to transnational threats.
