The new immigration policy announced by the British government will help Pakistani nationals and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, a senior British official said. The new system enables the "best and brightest" to visit UK to study, work or live.

Matthew Rycroft, a permanent secretary in the UK’s Home Department, made the announcement that the new immigration system would "level the global playing field" for the people willing to travel to the UK. The official is currently on a two-day visit to Pakistan, the UK High Commission in Islamabad said in a statement. 

The UK has 1.6 million people of Pakistani origin living there, forming the heart of the ties between the two countries. “It is these people-to-people ties that make Pakistan a particularly important partner for the UK Home Office,” the statement said.

“These ties are reliant on an effective and well-functioning migration relationship and the UK is committed to strengthening our visa routes and facilitating those wishing to travel between the two countries,” Rycroft was quoted as saying in the statement.

New graduates from Pakistan would have excellent opportunities to get into the skilled job market in the UK under the new immigration regime. It will also help Pakistani students, currently enrolled in different UK universities.

Rycroft said that the Home Office was delivering an immigration system that offers clear opportunities to the "best and brightest" from Pakistan to come to the UK to study, work, and live.

During his ongoing visit, he also discussed a range of issues with Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and associated agencies, related to shared priorities and future cooperation between the two countries to affirm bilateral ties.

Rycroft expressed his desire to work closely with the government of Pakistan to tackle shared threats and bring criminals to justice. Narcotics smuggling, illicit finances, and human trafficking are common threats to both countries, requiring deeper cooperation to tackle the challenges, he said.

(SAM)