Latest US weapons to bolster capacity of Pakistan’s security agencies: Naqvi

Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday welcomed the US assistance for bolstering the capacity buildign of Pakistan's law-enforcement agencies (LEAs), and said the identification of the people involved in crimes in foreign countries would be done with the help of a latest software, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He was speaking to Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the US Embassy in Islamabad Natalie Baker who called on him in Islamabad along with a delegation for a detailed meeting.

The interior minister expressed the hope that latest weapons from the US would enhance the capacity of border security and coastal guards.

He further said that the Government of Pakistan would welcome the US cooperation for the reorganization of Frontier Constabulary, and the capacity building of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).

The minister also hoped that the US assistance would prove beneficial for making the FIA’s anti-terrorism wing proactive. “This will be the first anti-terrorist wing at the federal level that will keep close liaison with provinces,” he added.

Naqvi informed the delegation that the NCCIA was carrying out a crackdown on illegal call centres across the country.

Both agreed to increase cooperation between Pakistan and the USA for security and border management.

Pakistan-US relations and the matters related to increasing cooperation between the two countries in sectors of common interests also came under discussion at the meeting.

Naqvi and Natalie agreed that there should be improved coordination between the two countries for enhancing cooperation at all levels.

The two discussed initiating training programmes for the officials of the FIA, Federal Constabulary (FC) and Cyber Crime Agency.

The establishment of Center for Transformation Crime and Academy at the FIA’s office also discussed at the meeting.

It was also agreed that the capacity of border security and coastal guards would be enhanced with the help of latest US weapons.

Members of the delegation praised Pakistan for its efforts to increase contacts between the two countries and cooperation for security purposes.

Speaking on the occasion, Natalie said that the US would continue to take steps for increasing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, secretary interior, additional secretary interior, DG FIA, Commandant Frontier Constabulary, DG National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency, DG Passport and Immigration, IGP Islamabad and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Reporter Awais Kiyani