ISLAMABAD (IN): Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in combating organised crime, cybercrime, drug trafficking and illegal migration, marking a significant step towards strengthening security ties between Pakistan and Russia.The understanding was reached during a meeting between the two ministers at the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad, followed by delegation-level talks focusing on matters of mutual interest and enhanced law enforcement cooperation.Both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation and information sharing to prevent organised crime. They also decided to finalise agreements on extradition and the exchange of criminals and ensure the early implementation of the readmission agreement.The two countries further agreed to strengthen coordination between Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and relevant Russian agencies to combat drug trafficking. Working groups from the interior ministries of both countries will also visit each other soon to explore new avenues for cooperation.
The discussions also covered the deployment of skilled Pakistani workers in Russia and measures to facilitate visa procedures for tourists and businesspeople. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in preventing cybercrime and strengthen institutional links between Pakistan’s National Police Academy and Russia’s police academy.Speaking on the occasion, Mohsin Naqvi described the proposed agreement on preventing organised crime as an important milestone in bilateral cooperation. He said simplifying visa procedures would promote people-to-people contacts and strengthen relations between the two countries.Naqvi expressed Pakistan’s desire to benefit from Russia’s experience in combating cybercrime and highlighted the potential for expanding educational ties. He said around 1,300 Pakistani students were currently studying in Russia and expressed hope that more Pakistani students would pursue higher education there.Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev stressed the importance of joint measures to tackle all forms of organised crime, including terrorism, drug smuggling and illegal migration. He informed the meeting that Russia had achieved a 33 per cent reduction in cybercrime through effective measures.
The talks underscored the commitment of Pakistan and Russia to deepen cooperation through information sharing, institutional coordination, law enforcement agreements and the exchange of expertise.Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Russian ambassador to Pakistan, senior officials of the Ministry of Interior, Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Commandant of the National Police Academy, Inspector General of the Frontier Corps, Director General of the National Forensic Agency, Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, Director General of Passports, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Inspector General of Islamabad Police and other senior officials attended the meeting.
