ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia have signed agreements to curb illegal migration and combat drug trafficking, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Saturday, as Islamabad seeks regional cooperation during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
The agreement was signed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Bishkek.
Naqvi is in Kyrgyzstan’s capital to attend a special meeting of the Ministers of Interior and Public Security of the SCO.
“Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in preventing illegal immigration,” the Pakistani interior ministry said.
“Both countries agreed to increase cooperation for the repatriation of citizens residing illegally in either country.”
It said another agreement between the two sides was also signed to strengthen cooperation in combating narcotics and drug trafficking.
Naqvi held separate meetings with his counterparts from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan as well, the ministry said.
In his meeting with Tajik Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda, the two sides discussed the presence of “terrorist camps” inside Afghanistan, Naqvi’s office said.
“Both interior ministers agreed that terrorist camps and narcotics production in Afghanistan pose serious security threats to the region,” the statement said.
“They noted that around 25 different terrorist organizations are currently active in Afghanistan.”
Islamabad accuses Kabul of facilitating militant attacks against Pakistan, charges that Afghanistan denies. Pakistan says militant groups based in Afghanistan launch attacks against its security forces and civilians.
Afghanistan denies these allegations and urges Pakistan to resolve its security challenges by itself.
