BISHKEK: Pakistan stepped up its regional diplomatic engagement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Interior Ministers’ Meeting, where Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with his counterparts from Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The discussions focused on counterterrorism, border security and closer law enforcement cooperation across the region.
During his meeting with Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Pakistan and Russia signed several security agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation against illegal migration, facilitating the return of undocumented nationals and expanding joint efforts to combat drug trafficking and narcotics-related crimes. Both sides also agreed to deepen collaboration in response to emerging regional security challenges.
In talks with Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, the two sides reviewed the security situation in Afghanistan. They identified militant activity and rising drug trafficking as major threats to regional stability and agreed that a coordinated approach is essential to address security risks linked to Afghanistan.
Naqvi’s meeting with Uzbek Interior Minister Major General Aziz Tashpulatov focused on enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies, expanding intelligence sharing and promoting professional training programs. The two countries also agreed to establish a joint working group to advance these objectives.
During discussions with Kyrgyz Interior Minister Niyazbek Olan Omokanovich, both sides explored ways to strengthen security cooperation. Naqvi also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on successfully hosting the SCO ministerial meeting.
In a separate meeting with Kazakh Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov, the two officials discussed illegal migration and border security. They agreed to create a joint working group to institutionalize cooperation between their respective agencies.
The series of high-level meetings was widely viewed as a significant step toward stronger regional coordination against terrorism, drug trafficking and illegal cross-border movement. The engagements also underscored Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role in promoting regional security through the SCO framework.
