Pakistan Strengthens Ties with Russia and Central Asian Nations at SCO Meeting
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held separate meetings in Bishkek with the interior ministers of Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the Special Meeting of Interior and Public Security Ministers of SCO Member States, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior.
During a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Kolokoltsev, important agreements were signed under which Pakistan and Russia will enhance cooperation to prevent illegal immigration. Both countries also agreed to provide mutual assistance and adopt a joint strategy for the repatriation of citizens residing illegally in either country. Another agreement was signed to strengthen cooperation in combating narcotics and preventing the trafficking of illicit drugs.
In his meeting with Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, discussions focused on terrorist camps operating inside Afghanistan. Both ministers agreed that terrorist camps and drug production in Afghanistan posed serious security threats to the region. They noted that approximately 25 different terrorist organizations were currently active in the country.
During talks between Interior Minister Naqvi and Uzbekistan’s Interior Minister Major General Aziz Tashpulatov, cooperation between law enforcement agencies and joint training initiatives were discussed. Both sides agreed to establish a working group to further strengthen cooperation between their respective interior ministries.
In a separate meeting with Kyrgyz Interior Minister Niyazbek Olan Omokanovich, both sides agreed to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Naqvi congratulated his Kyrgyz counterpart on Kyrgyzstan’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. He also thanked the Kyrgyz government for the excellent arrangements made for the SCO Interior Ministers’ Meeting.
During his meeting with Kazakhstan’s Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in preventing illegal immigration. Both ministers also decided to establish a working group between their respective interior ministries to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
