Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide have agreed to strengthen cooperation against illegal immigration, terrorism and other shared security challenges.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Naqvi and Eide in Islamabad. The two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in police training, mutual legal assistance and other areas of bilateral security and law enforcement.
The meeting also covered developments in Afghanistan and the activities of banned organisations operating from its territory. Eide praised Pakistan’s constructive and active role in efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran.
Naqvi said Pakistan’s effective measures had contributed to a 47% reduction in illegal immigration to Europe. He said Pakistan had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against unlawful migration, which he noted had also been appreciated by the European Union.
The interior minister stressed that promoting legal migration was essential for effectively controlling illegal migration. He said stronger legal pathways could help address irregular movement while providing people with safer and lawful opportunities to travel and work abroad.
Naqvi also raised security concerns linked to Afghanistan, saying Pakistani territory continued to face threats from militant groups operating from Afghan soil. He said Pakistan was standing as a barrier between terrorism and the wider world and called for collective international efforts to eliminate the threat.
The Norwegian foreign minister appreciated the active role of the Pakistani community in Norway. He said Pakistanis were making important contributions in politics, healthcare and other sectors. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the federal interior secretary and senior officials also attended the meeting.
