Pakistan, Russia to deepen security ties

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan reaffirmed its resolve to deepen longstanding relations with Russia and expand practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest, particularly security, as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir met Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi focused on matters of mutual interest and the regional security environment, with particular emphasis on strengthening bilateral security cooperation.

"They underscored the importance of closer institutional linkages and improved coordination between the security institutions of Pakistan and Russia," the statement outlined further.

CDF Munir reiterated Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening its longstanding ties with Moscow and translating bilateral relations into tangible cooperation in areas of shared interest, particularly in the security domain.

The Russian interior minister, meanwhile, appreciated Pakistan's contributions to regional peace and stability and acknowledged the professionalism and sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism.

CDF Munir's meeting with Minister Kolokoltsev comes amid expanding Pakistan–Russia engagement on counterterrorism, law enforcement, military training and broader bilateral relations.

Also, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev highlighted the potential for expanding trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan in a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

According to a statement issued by the PMO, in a meeting with the premier on Wednesday, Kolokoltsev highlighted the "significant potential for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation" between the two countries.

He conveyed Russia's desire to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas of shared interest, while expressing his country's readiness to further enhance bilateral engagement with Pakistan, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Russia agreed to finalise an extradition treaty and pledged to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in preventing organised crime and exchanging information.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Naqvi and Kolokolstev in Islamabad. The meeting was followed by delegation-level talks, the interior ministry said in a statement.

Naqvi, during the meeting, said the proposed MoU on prevention of organised crime would be an important milestone in cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides pledged to enhance mutual cooperation in areas of shared interests as they agreed to finalise an extradition treaty and an agreement on the exchange of criminals.

Both sides resolved to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest and decided to ensure early implementation of a readmission agreement, according to the statement.

They also agreed to enhance cooperation between the Anti-Narcotics Force and relevant Russian institutions.

It was agreed in the meeting that working groups from the interior ministries of both countries would soon visit each other.

The two sides also discussed sending skilled manpower from Pakistan to Russia and facilitating visa acquisition for tourists and the business community, as per the statement.

They agreed to enhance cooperation for the prevention of cybercrime between the National Police Academy and the Russian Police Academy, the statement said.

Naqvi said easing the visa regime would increase people-to-people contact between the two countries. He also expressed desire to benefit from Russia's experiences in curbing cybercrime.

He further noted that at present, 1,300 Pakistani students were studying in Russia and Pakistan wanted more students to study there.

Russian Interior Minister Kolokolstev, for his part, said joint measures were essential for the prevention of all organised crime, including terrorism, drug smuggling, and illegal migration.

He said Russia had brought a 33 per cent reduction in cybercrime through effective measures.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State Tallal Chaudhry, the Russian ambassador in Pakistan, special and additional secretaries to interior and other senior officials.