Pakistan, Russia sign agreement to curb illegal immigration

BISHKEK – Pakistan and Russia have signed an agreement to expand cooperation to prevent illegal immigration. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Kolokoltsev signed the agreement on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan. The two countries also agreed to enhance collaboration for the repatriation of citizens residing illegally in either country. In addition, an agreement was reached to boost cooperation in combating narcotics and drug trafficking. Mohsin Naqvi held separate meetings with the interior ministers of Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan during the conference. During a meeting with Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, discussions focused on terrorist camps operating inside Afghanistan. Both sides expressed concern over terrorist camps and drug production in Afghanistan, stating that these pose serious security threats to the region. They noted that around 25 different terrorist organizations are currently active in Afghanistan. In a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Interior Minister Major General Aziz Tashpulatov, discussions were held on cooperation between law enforcement agencies and joint training initiatives. It was agreed to establish a working group to enhance coordination between the interior ministries of both countries. In talks with Kyrgyz Interior Minister Niyazbek Olan Omokanov, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Mohsin Naqvi congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and thanked the host country for excellent arrangements for the SCO Interior Ministers’ meeting. During a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation to curb illegal immigration. It was also decided to establish a working group between the interior ministries of the two countries to strengthen collaboration.