ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday agreed to develop joint strategy against cybercrimes and financial fraud mafias. The understanding was reached during a meeting of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi with his Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala in Colombo.

According to a communication received here through the interior ministry’s media wing, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and matters of mutual interest.

The two ministers also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in internal security and joint efforts in counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics operations. It was agreed to strengthen institutional collaboration between ministries of interior of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The two sides decided to improve coordination to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Matters relating to joint training programmes for police and paramilitary forces were also discussed.

Mr Naqvi offered training opportunities for Sri Lankan police officers at the National Police Academy of Pakistan. He said that officer exchange programmes would enhance the professional capacity of forces in both countries and open new avenues of cooperation between the two interior ministries.

He stressed the need to expand collaboration to effectively combat cybercrime and financial crimes. Mr Naqvi invited the Sri Lankan minister to visit Pakistan.

Separately, Mr Naqvi met Sri Lanka’s secretary of defence retired Air Vice Marshal Sampatha Thuyacontha.

The meeting included discussions on Pakistan-Sri Lanka security cooperation and defence matters. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further enhance bilateral security cooperation.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026