ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Saturday agreed to take coordinated action against fraudulent visa networks, adopting comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to strengthen enforcement and curb illegal immigration.
The decision was reached during a meeting between US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior. The two sides held detailed discussions on the broader Pakistan–US relationship and explored ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The meeting also focused on measures to prevent illegal immigration, including a review of the effectiveness of the pre-immigration clearance system. Both parties emphasised the need for tighter coordination to address organised networks involved in human smuggling, document fraud, and visa-related scams.
According to the handout, it was agreed that law enforcement cooperation would be enhanced, with particular emphasis on police training and capacity-building initiatives. The statement added that both sides decided to pursue joint action against “false and fraudulent visa networks” under clearly defined SOPs to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
Interior Minister Naqvi reaffirmed the government’s strict stance against illegal immigration and related criminal activity, stating that Pakistan had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against the so-called “agent mafia” — a term commonly used for networks that facilitate fraudulent documentation and unlawful travel.
“I am personally supervising action against fraudulent visa networks,” Naqvi was quoted as saying. He welcomed cooperation with Washington in this area and stressed that individuals involved in document forgery and visa fraud would face decisive legal action.
The interior minister also highlighted improvements made to Pakistan’s passport system, saying new security features had been introduced through modern technology to make