• Naqvi holds talks with five SCO interior ministers
• Minister briefs PM Shehbaz on law and order

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Moh­sin Naqvi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, signed agreeme­nts to enhance cooperation in preventing illegal immigration and drug trafficking, the interior ministry said on Saturday.

Mr Naqvi attended a special meeting of the Ministers of Interior and Public Security of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Mr Naqvi and Kolokoltsev signed agreements aimed at strengthening co­­operation to curb illegal immigration and facilitate the repatriation of citizens.

The two also signed an agreement to enhance collaboration in combating nar­­cotics and preventing drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, Mr Naqvi also held separate meetings with his counterparts from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, the ministry said.

It added that during his meeting with Tajikistan’s Interior Minister Rahim­zo­­da Ramazon Hamro, the discussions foc­u­s­­ed on terrorist camps inside Afghanistan.

“Both ministers agreed that terrorist camps and narcotics production in Afg­hanistan pose serious security concerns for the region,” the ministry said, adding they noted that 25 terrorist organisations were currently active in Afghanistan.

During the meeting with Uzbekistan’s Interior Minister Aziz Tashpulato, the discussions focused on cooperation between law enforcement agencies and joint training initiatives.

It was decided that a working group would be established to enhance cooperation between the interior ministries of the two countries, the ministry said.

Separately, Mr Naqvi and Kyrgyzstan Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov agreed to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The interior minister congratulated Kyrgyzstan on being elec­ted as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and also thanked him for the excellent arrangements for the SCO moot, the ministry added.

Mr Naqvi also met with his Kazakh counterpart Yerzhan Sadenov, where the two ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in preventing illegal immigration.

Earlier, the interior minister addres­sed the moot on Friday and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shan­gh­­ai spirit”.

Minister briefs PM

In the meantime, Prime Minister She­hbaz Sharif on Saturday held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, dur­­ing which the latter briefed the premier on his recent engagements on the sidelines of the SCO conference in Bishkek.

In the meeting, a detailed exchange of views also took place on the country’s overall law and order situation and prevailing security conditions between the premier and the interior minister.

The interior minister informed the prime minister about the measures being taken to maintain peace and security across the country and ensure the protection of citizens, the statement said.

PM Shehbaz emphasised the need for close coordination among all relevant institutions and the adoption of a unified strategy to strengthen law and order and further enhance national security.

Zulqernain Tahir in Lahore also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026