Pakistan and Russia on Saturday signed a series of agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in combating illegal immigration, narcotics trafficking, and other transnational crimes. The accords were formalized on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Interior Ministers Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held bilateral meetings with the interior ministers of Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. In a key development, Naqvi met his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, where both sides signed agreements to enhance cooperation between Islamabad and Moscow. The agreements focus on combating illegal immigration, improving mechanisms for repatriating citizens residing unlawfully in either country, and expanding joint efforts against drug trafficking and the spread of illicit narcotics. According to officials, nearly 25 terrorist organizations are currently active in Afghanistan, posing security risks to neighboring countries and the wider region.
During talks with Tajikistan’s Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, discussions centered on regional security and the evolving situation in Afghanistan. Both sides expressed concern over the presence of terrorist groups and narcotics production in Afghanistan, describing them as serious threats to regional stability. The ministers agreed that coordinated regional action is necessary to address these challenges. The SCO framework has increasingly focused on security cooperation among member states.
In a separate meeting with Uzbekistan’s Interior Minister, Major General Aziz Tashpulatov, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies, expanding joint training programs, and strengthening institutional collaboration. They also agreed to establish a dedicated working group between their interior ministries to facilitate ongoing cooperation. Similarly, Naqvi met Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Minister Niyazbek Olan Omokanovich, where both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
In his meeting with Kazakhstan’s Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov, discussions focused on combating illegal immigration and enhancing coordination between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies. The two sides agreed to establish a joint working group to strengthen cooperation and address emerging security challenges. These agreements mark a significant step in Pakistan’s efforts to combat transnational crime through multilateral platforms like the SCO.
Experts note that such bilateral and regional cooperation is essential to address the complex security landscape in South and Central Asia. The agreements also underscore the growing partnership between Pakistan and Russia, which have historically had limited cooperation. With illegal immigration and drug trafficking posing persistent challenges, these accords provide a framework for joint action. The meetings concluded with a commitment to regular consultations and information sharing to strengthen border management and law enforcement.
Source: ARY News