Pakistan and Russia agree to finalise pacts on organised crime and readmission

ISLAMABAD (Atemad Desk): Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev agreed in a meeting and delegation-level talks to prevent organised crime, to exchange information and criminals, and to finalise early implementation of the readmission agreement.

The two countries expressed agreement on stronger cooperation in preventing cybercrime and between the Anti-Narcotics Force and police academies. It was decided that working groups of the two ministries would soon visit each other’s country. The two sides also discussed in detail the sending of skilled workers from Pakistan to Russia and easing visas for tourists and the business community.

Mohsin Naqvi said the agreement on preventing organised crime would be an important milestone in mutual cooperation. He said Pakistan particularly wanted to benefit from Russia’s experience and modern techniques in curbing cybercrime. According to him, about 1,300 Pakistani students are currently studying in Russia, and he hoped more students would go there for higher education.

The Russian interior minister said joint measures against problems such as terrorism, drug smuggling and illegal migration were essential. He said Russia had achieved a 33 per cent reduction in the cybercrime rate in his country and was ready to cooperate with Pakistan. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Russian ambassador to Pakistan, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency, the Inspector General of the Frontier Corps, the Inspector General of Islamabad Police and other senior officials were also present at the talks.