Bilateral security cooperation comes under discussion as Russian interior minister meets CDF Munir

Islamabad - Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev met Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. Both sides emphasized the significance of enhancing security cooperation between Islamabad and Moscow. Kolokoltsev, who arrived in Pakistan on Monday at the invitation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, marked the first such visit by a Russian Interior Minister to Pakistan.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed mutual interests and regional security, with a focus on strengthening bilateral security ties. They reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to deepening its long-standing relationship with Russia and expanding cooperation in shared areas, particularly in the security domain. The visit also led to the agreement on an extradition treaty and an MoU on preventing organized crime and exchanging information.

Both sides pledged to enhance mutual cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, including the implementation of a readmission agreement, promoting cooperation between the Anti-Narcotics Force, and facilitating visa acquisition for tourists and businesspeople. Russian Interior Minister Kolokoltsev highlighted the importance of joint measures in combating organized crime, including terrorism, drug smuggling, and illegal migration.

He noted that Russia had successfully reduced cybercrime by 33 percent through effective measures, and expressed interest in learning from Pakistan's experiences in curbing cybercrime. Pakistan and Russia have been actively strengthening their economic ties, driven by mutual necessity. The recent sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia due to the Ukraine conflict have further bolstered the strategic partnership between the two countries.