Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic security partnership, expanding counterterrorism cooperation, enhancing border management, combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking, and facilitating greater people-to-people exchanges during a high-level meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Interior Ministers Pledge Deeper Cooperation
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with China’s Vice Minister of Public Security and head of the Special Service Bureau, Ling Zhifeng, where both sides pledged to further deepen cooperation on internal security and reaffirmed their shared resolve to confront terrorism and emerging security challenges. The two ministers agreed to enhance cooperation on internal security matters, with particular emphasis on border management, combating illegal immigration and intensifying joint efforts against drug trafficking.
During the discussions, Naqvi stressed that terrorist financing must be stopped at every level, emphasizing that countries involved in supporting or financing terrorist groups should be confronted through coordinated international action.
Pakistan’s Commitment to Chinese Nationals’ Safety
“We want to take security cooperation with China to the next level,” the Pakistani minister said, underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to protecting bilateral interests. Highlighting Pakistan’s measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals working in the country, Naqvi said a dedicated Special Protection Police Force had been established to provide security for Chinese citizens and projects.
The interior minister also emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and China, describing such exchanges as a cornerstone of bilateral relations. He said easing visa regulations would help facilitate greater interaction between the citizens of both countries.
China Appreciates Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Sacrifices
The Chinese minister acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism and praised its continued efforts to combat extremist violence. “We appreciate Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism,” Ling said, adding that the two countries should continue working together to address evolving security threats through closer coordination. He also assured the Pakistani delegation that issues related to visas and immigration would be reviewed with a view to facilitating bilateral exchanges.
Strategic Partnership Reinforced
The meeting reflected the continuing momentum in Pakistan-China security cooperation, with both sides expressing confidence that closer coordination on counterterrorism, border security and public safety would further reinforce the countries’ all-weather strategic partnership.
