ISLAMABAD - Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday stated that the region is confronting serious and complex security challenges, emphasizing that a joint strategy is essential to combat terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and terror financing. Speaking at the Special Meeting of Interior and Public Security Ministers of SCO Member States in Bishkek, he noted that criminal networks are misusing artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
Institutional Coordination Needed
“To address evolving threats, institutional coordination on modern lines is necessary,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by the Ministry of Interior in a statement. He affirmed that Pakistan is fully committed to the principles of the Shanghai Spirit: mutual trust, equal partnership, and respect for sovereignty.
Pakistan’s Sacrifices and National Action Plan
“Pakistan has rendered unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” he added. He said that under the National Action Plan (NAP), intelligence coordination, border management, and anti-money laundering measures had been strengthened. From this platform, there is a need to further enhance cooperation in intelligence sharing and joint analysis of common threats, as well as to make collective efforts against online extremism more effective. “In this regard, Pakistan strongly supports workshops and exchanges of experts.”
Cyber Intelligence and Drug Trafficking
The interior minister said that cooperation in cyber intelligence and digital forensics is a critical need of the time. “Drug trafficking is a major source of terrorist financing,” he said, adding that a joint strategy is essential against narcotics, online networks, and crypto transactions. He noted that Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force is fully active in SCO-level anti-drug operations.
Border Security and Counter-Terrorism Financing
Border security holds key importance for regional peace and stability, he also said. Naqvi emphasized the need to enhance cooperation against fake documentation, watch-list harmonization, and human trafficking. He said that stopping terrorist financing is among Pakistan’s top priorities. Pakistan has introduced reforms in its anti-money laundering system, and its strong AML framework is playing an active role, he said.
The minister further stated that dismantling terrorist financial networks requires strong regional cooperation. “Our challenges are shared; therefore, our efforts must be collective and coordinated,” he said, adding that a peaceful and secure SCO region is their shared objective. He noted that Pakistan looks forward to welcoming participants at the SCO Summit to be held in Islamabad in 2027.
