ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China agreed on Wednesday to institutionalize closer collaboration on counterterrorism and internal security, committing to regular meetings and expanded coordination amid efforts by both countries to safeguard Chinese nationals and projects amid persistent militant threats in the region.

The agreement was reached during talks between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Xiaohong at the headquarters of China’s Ministry of Public Security in Beijing, according to an official statement circulated in Islamabad.

China has raised concerns in the past over attacks targeting its citizens working on infrastructure and energy projects in Pakistan. Islamabad has stepped up security deployments and intelligence coordination in response, while Beijing has pushed for more structured and predictable security engagement.

“The two sides discussed joint counterterrorism measures, police training exchange programs and ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest,” Pakistan’s interior ministry said in a statement, adding that the two officials agreed to hold working-level meetings every three months and annual talks at the interior ministers’ level.

Wang expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s steps to protect Chinese citizens and projects, the statement added, praising Pakistan’s counterterrorism measures and internal security initiatives.

China also acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in its fight against militancy, according to the statement.

Naqvi and Wang stressed the need to further improve coordination mechanisms to enhance operational cooperation between the two countries’ security agencies.

His meeting with his Chinese counterpart lasted for over three years.