Rawalpindi: Pakistan and Russia agreed to strengthen coordination between their security institutions as Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday.
The meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) covered regional security and bilateral cooperation, with both sides stressing closer institutional links, according to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Munir said Pakistan wanted to translate its relations with Russia into practical cooperation, particularly in security. Kolokoltsev acknowledged the professionalism and sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces in combating terrorism and their contribution to regional stability.
In a separate meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, the Russian minister highlighted opportunities to expand trade and economic cooperation. The Prime Minister’s Office said he conveyed Moscow’s willingness to strengthen engagement in areas of shared interest.
Talks with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi focused on law enforcement, extradition, cybercrime and migration.
According to the interior ministry, both sides agreed to finalise an extradition treaty and work towards signing a memorandum of understanding on preventing organised crime and exchanging information.
They also agreed to pursue early implementation of a readmission agreement and strengthen cooperation between Pakistan’s Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and relevant Russian institutions.
Working groups from the two interior ministries are expected to exchange visits.
The discussions covered opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers in Russia and easier visas for tourists and businesspeople. Naqvi said a simpler visa regime would strengthen public contacts.
Cooperation between police training institutions and measures against cybercrime also featured in the talks. Kolokoltsev said coordinated action was necessary against terrorism, drug trafficking and irregular migration.
He said Russian measures had reduced cybercrime by 33 percent. Naqvi expressed interest in drawing on that experience.
