• Interior ministers of both countries interact in Beijing; agree to deepen counterterrorism cooperation
• Mohsin Naqvi says special unit being set up in Islamabad for security of Chinese nationals

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Wednesday agreed that their joint working group (JWG) on security would meet every three months to deepen counterterrorism cooperation.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Xiaohong in Beijing.

The meeting was held at the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, where it was also decided that the two interior ministers would meet once a year.

During the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, both sides discussed bilateral relations and joint counterterrorism initiatives.

In-depth discussions were held on counterterrorism cooperation, police training exchange programmes, and expanding collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Both ministers emphasised the need for improved coordination to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Mr Wang expressed satisfaction with the security measures taken by Pakistan for Chinese citizens and projects, and thanked Mr Naqvi and his team.

He praised Pakistan’s counterterrorism and internal security efforts, saying China highly valued Islamabad’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen rapid response mechanisms against terrorism and crime, and to expand the scope of police training exchange programmes.

Matters pertaining to Islamabad-Beijing sister-city cooperation were also discussed. The two ministers agreed on a joint strategy to enhance training and professional capacity within police and security institutions.

‘Special protection unit’

Mr Naqvi highlighted the significance of sharing experience and information between the security institutions of both countries through training programmes.

He also briefed his counterpart on security arrangements for Chinese nationals and projects, underscoring that their protection remained a top priority for Pakistan.

“Pakistan has taken strong measures at all levels for the security of Chinese nationals and is establishing a special protection unit in Islamabad,” he said.

The interior minister welcomed Chinese assistance in combating cybercrime and said Pakistan wanted to benefit from Chinese expertise to strengthen the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency.

He added that AI-based Chinese technologies could greatly support Pakistan in overcoming its counterterrorism and security challenges.

Mr Naqvi made it clear no one could undermine the “unbreakable partnership” between Pakistan and China.

The interior minister also reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to expanding sustainable cooperation with Beijing to address security challenges and protect shared interests.

He also invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Pakistan and conveyed best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for the Chinese leadership.

Mr Wang invited Mr Naqvi to participate in the Global Security Cooperation Forum scheduled to be held in China in September.

He said Pakistan and China were strategic partners and expressed great pleasure in welcoming Mr Naqvi at the start of 2026, assuring that Beijing was ready to enhance cooperation with Islamabad at all levels.

A luncheon was hosted in honour of Mr Naqvi and his delegation. Vice Ministers Su Ditong and Yu Xiuhua, Beijing Deputy Mayor and Director General of the Beijing Public Security Bureau Qin Yuanbiao, Director General of the Ministry’s General Office Guo Kan, Counter-Terrorism Director General Gao Qiu, and International Cooperation Director General Wang Yong were also present.

The Pakistani delegation included Federal Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, National Police Academy Director General Muhammad Idrees, and National Cyber Crimes Inves-tigation Agency Director General Syed Khurram Ali.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2026