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• Naqvi meets American delegation led by Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker
• Says Washington’s advanced software to help curb ‘financial fraud, terror financing’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Saturday agreed to enhance collaboration in bilateral security and border management, as both sides signalled a broader push to deepen defence and law enforcement ties amid renewed engagement under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The agreement was reached as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with a high-level US delegation led by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker.
The meeting featured in-depth deliberation on boosting relations between the two countries and expanding cooperation in shared areas of interest.
It was mutually agreed to further strengthen existing cooperation with the US Anti-Terrorism Assistance Programme and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
The delegation also discussed training programmes for officers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Federal Constabulary, and National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Matters relating to the establishment of a centre for crime and an academy within the FIA with US support also came under review. It was also agreed that border security agencies, coastal guards, and other institutions would be equipped with modern US-supplied equipment.
Mr Naqvi stated that modern technology would enhance the capacity of border security agencies and coastal guards.
He also welcomed US assistance in the reorganisation of the Federal Constabulary and in strengthening the capabilities of the FIA and the NCCIA.
He added that US support in activating FIA’s counterterrorism wing would prove highly beneficial, making it the first federal anti-terrorist wing with effective coordination with provinces.
Mr Naqvi said the NCCIA was carrying out an extensive crackdown on illegal call centres across the country.
Advanced software
He noted that advanced software was vital for preventing financial fraud and terror financing, and US cooperation with the NCCIA in this regard was highly significant.
He added that the advanced software would be used to identify individuals involved in crimes abroad.
The minister emphasised the need to further expand collaboration with Pakistani institutions. Meanwhile, the US delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to increase security cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties.
Ms Baker acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between the interior ministry and US agencies at various levels and reaffirmed that efforts would continue to further enhance the partnership with Pakistan.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the interior secretary, the FIA director general, the Federal Constabulary commandant, the additional interior secretary, the NCCIA director general, the Passport and Immigration director general, the Islamabad police chief, and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Military-to-military ties
Meanwhile, military-to-military ties between Pakistan and the United States appear to be strengthening, marked by renewed joint training, major defence sales and unusually warm rhetoric from President Trump towards Islamabad’s military leadership.
According to a statement issued by the US Central Command (Centcom), American and Pakistani troops this week concluded joint training at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Pabbi.
“This week, US and Pakistan Army Soldiers completed training at Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre during ‘Exercise Inspired Gambit’, which focused on combined infantry skills and tactics, and counterterrorism operations.
Training exercises like this between the US and Pakistan strengthen our long-standing defense ties,” the statement read.
The exercise comes amid broader signs of re-engagement between the two defence establishments. In December, the US approved the sale of advanced technology and upgrade packages for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter aircraft, a deal valued at approximately $686 million.
The approval followed regional tensions after Pakistan and India fought a brief but intense five-day conflict in May last year.
Political signalling from Washington has also drawn attention. President Trump has repeatedly praised Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, referring to him publicly as his “favourite field marshal”.
Analysts say Washington’s renewed focus on the Middle East, particularly Gaza and Iran, combined with the performance of Pakistan’s air force during the May conflict with India, encouraged the US to improve its ties with Islamabad’s defence establishment.
Pakistan has also signalled its willingness to participate in a US-led international stabilisation force for Gaza, a controversial proposal advanced by President Trump, further underlining Islamabad’s interest in closer security cooperation.
Recent military exercises, arms sales and high-level engagement suggest that defence ties between Washington and Islamabad are entering a new and more pragmatic phase.
Anwar Iqbal in Washington also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2026
