Pakistan, Somalia move to strengthen security, counterterrorism ties

Islamabad: Pakistan and Somalia have agreed to enhance cooperation in internal security, including training, border control, disaster management and joint efforts to combat terrorism.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a high-level Somali delegation led by Somalia’s Interior Minister Ali Yusuf at the Ministry of Interior on Friday.

 During the talks, Mr Naqvi announced visa facilitation for Somali citizens travelling to Pakistan for medical treatment and educational purposes. He also assured Somalia of Pakistan’s full support in areas such as policing and counterterrorism, saying Pakistan was ready to cooperate closely across multiple sectors.

Mr Yusuf said Somalia was currently facing serious security challenges and was actively engaged in fighting terrorist groups. He expressed confidence that the visit would help strengthen bilateral relations and open new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.

The Somali interior minister also showed interest in benefiting from Pakistan’s experience, particularly in security management and urban infrastructure development. He praised Mr Naqvi’s initiatives aimed at improving Islamabad’s infrastructure.

Both ministers emphasised the importance of closer coordination to promote shared interests and improve cooperation in different fields. Mr Yusuf formally invited Mr Naqvi to visit Somalia and conveyed a special message from Somalia’s prime minister to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, underscoring the desire to further deepen ties between the two nations.