COLOMBO, Aug 3: Pakistan and Sri Lanka will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on security cooperation especially in the sphere of human trafficking, officials at the foreign ministry said.

A decision to this effect was taken during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and his Sri Lankan counterpart John Amaratunga at the interior ministry on Saturday.

Mr Hayat said the Pakistan government was committed to support Sri Lanka in efforts to combat terrorism and human trafficking.

The minister’s comments came as police in Matugama nabbed 14 Pakistanis and seven Indians who were waiting to travel to Italy illegally on Thursday night. Nearly 800 South Asians were arrested around the country in the last few weeks while waiting to board rogue ships bound for Italy and Western Europe.

The two ministers also discussed steps to combat narcotics smuggling and human trafficking. They also exchanged information on combating terrorism and the narcotics problem.

As a close and friendly neighbour of Sri Lanka, Pakistan feels deeply about the tragic consequences of terrorism on Sri Lanka, Mr Hayat said.

“Our discussions with Interior Minister John Amaratunga were very successful. Our relationship will go from strength to strength,” he said.

Mr Amaratunga thanked his Pakistani counterpart and other delegates for visiting Sri Lanka and assisting to combat terrorism, narcotics and human smuggling.

He recalled with appreciation Pakistan’s support which have been extended to Sri Lanka at critical moments in the history of the internal conflict, condemning blatant acts of terrorism, by reiterating respect for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.