Pakistan, Russia ink pacts to fight illegal immigration, drug trafficking

Pakistan and Russia have formalized their commitment to combatting transnational crime by signing agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in preventing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The pacts were signed by Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The agreements seek to strengthen collaborative efforts to curb illegal immigration and facilitate the repatriation of citizens between the two nations. Additionally, the ministers agreed to bolster their collaboration in combating narcotics and preventing drug trafficking, addressing a critical security concern for the region.

During his visit, Naqvi engaged in separate bilateral meetings with interior ministers from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Discussions with Tajikistan's minister focused on the serious security threats posed by terrorist camps and narcotics production within Afghanistan, with both sides noting the presence of 25 active terrorist organizations. Meetings with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan centered on enhancing law enforcement cooperation, joint training initiatives, and establishing working groups to deepen bilateral ties.