• Naqvi pledges deeper cooperation with Moscow on key security issues
• Islamabad, Colombo agree to boost anti-narcotics, police training ties

ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic security partnership by expanding counterterrorism cooperation, enhancing border management, and combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

The commitment was made during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Chinese counterpart Ling Zhifeng at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, state-run PTV reported on Wednesday.

Both sides pledged to fu­­­­r­ther deepen cooperati­­on on internal security and reaffirmed their sha­red resolve to confront terrorism and emerging security challenges. They also agr­e­­­­ed to adopt joint mea­su­res to prevent support and financing for terrorism.

The two ministers also exchanged views on the pr­­o­­tection of Chinese nat­ionals in Pakistan, visa fa­­c­­ilitation and the promotion of people-to-people ties.

“We want to take security cooperation with China to the next level,” Mr Naqvi said, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to protecting bilateral interests.

Highlighting Pakistan’s measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals working in the country, he said a dedicated Spe­cial Protection Police For­ce had been established to provide security for Chin­ese citizens and projects.

The Chinese minister acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism and praised its continued efforts to combat extremist violence. He was of the opinion that the two countries should continue wo­­rking together to address evolving security threats through closer coordination.

Russian, Sri Lankan ministers

Mohsin Naqvi also held a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Ale­xa­ndrovich Kolokoltsev, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to stren­gthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation on key security issues.

The two ministers discussed developing a coordinated strategy to counter terrorist networks operating in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding between their respective interior ministries to institutionalise and expand bilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile, Mr Naqvi held a separate meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala. They agreed to strengthen coordination in combatting narcotics and enhance cooperation in police training, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. They agreed to increase collaboration to curb illegal immigration and prevent travel on forged passports.

With input from APP

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2026