By Mehrab Shah Afridi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Somalia agreed to deepen cooperation on counter-terrorism and other security-related matters during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Friday. The discussions were held between Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and a Somali delegation led by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf.
The two sides reached an understanding to adopt a joint strategy against terrorism and extremism. They also agreed to enhance collaboration in areas including training, border management, and disaster response. Somali officials said they hoped the visit would strengthen ties between the two countries and provide opportunities to learn from Pakistan’s experience in policing and counter-terrorism.
Speaking at the meeting, the Somali Interior Minister highlighted the difficult circumstances his country faced in combating terrorist groups. He said that Somalia was eager to benefit from Pakistan’s expertise and expressed confidence that closer cooperation would help tackle shared security challenges.
Responding, Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan understood the difficulties confronting Somalia and pledged full support in counter-terrorism efforts. He also announced new visa facilitation measures for Somali citizens travelling to Pakistan for education and medical treatment, a move aimed at further strengthening people-to-people ties.
The Somali minister commended the steps taken by Mohsin Naqvi to improve Islamabad’s infrastructure and formally delivered a special message from the Somali Prime Minister to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He extended an official invitation for Naqvi to visit Somalia in the near future.
Observers said the meeting reflected Islamabad’s growing focus on regional cooperation in security and its willingness to share expertise with partners facing internal security challenges. Analysts also noted that the agreement underscored the broader effort to enhance bilateral relations through practical initiatives, combining technical support, diplomatic engagement, and facilitation for citizens.
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