Islamabad: Pakistan and China have committed to expanding their cooperative efforts across several key areas, including counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling, and anti-narcotics operations, following discussions between key government officials from both nations.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the agreement was reached during a meeting in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Chen Mingguo, the Chinese Minister for Political and Legal Affairs, leading a high-level delegation. The meeting highlighted plans for joint police and paramilitary exercises potentially in Gilgit-Baltistan or Xinjiang, and the training of Gilgit-Baltistan police officers at the Xinjiang Police Academy.

The discussions also covered comprehensive strategies against terrorism, with both sides expressing a strong commitment to tackle this issue. Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the geographic and strategic importance of Xinjiang to Pakistan, noting the shared 600-kilometer border and expressing a strong desire to eradicate smuggling of drugs, arms, and other illicit goods.

Chen Mingguo articulated China’s eagerness to deepen ties with Pakistan in all spheres, particularly in leveraging Xinjiang’s counter-terrorism experience to benefit Pakistan’s security measures. Further steps include a planned visit by a Pakistani delegation, led by the Federal Secretary of Interior, to Xinjiang to advance this bilateral cooperation.