Pakistan proposes twin city status for Islamabad-Riyadh

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Dawood, proposing to designate Islamabad and Riyadh as twin cities.

The proposal, intended to strengthen ties between the two nations, was warmly received by the Saudi minister, Express News reported.

Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Maliki was also present at the meeting, where the two sides discussed areas of mutual interest and further cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Key topics included joint training programmes for paramilitary forces and police exchanges.

Naqvi’s twin-city proposal received the Saudi minister’s support, and both parties agreed to take further necessary steps to bring it into action.

The meeting also included discussions on curbing human trafficking by criminal groups who send beggars from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, and on implementing a prisoner exchange agreement.

Legal procedures to repatriate 419 Pakistani prisoners currently held in Saudi Arabia are expected to be completed soon.

Naqvi praised Saudi Arabia as a “brotherly Islamic nation” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation.

He also highlighted that Saudi citizens do not need a visa to visit Pakistan, welcoming them at any time.

The Interior Minister stated that 4,300 beggars' names have been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).

He emphasised a zero-tolerance policy against beggars travelling to Saudi Arabia, adding that an effective crackdown is underway nationwide against mafia networks involved in sending beggars abroad.

Praising Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030, the Interior Minister expressed confidence that, under the current leadership, Saudi Arabia will secure a prominent position globally in economic, social, and financial spheres by 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister reiterated the close relationship between the two countries, expressing Saudi Arabia’s willingness to further strengthen this bond through mutual exchange and joint training programmes for paramilitary and police forces.

The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s Additional and Special Secretaries of the Interior, the Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary, Islamabad's Chief Commissioner, the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, and the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad.