Pakistan and Bangladesh signed a landmark agreement on cooperation in narcotics control and prevention during a high-level meeting between the two countries’ interior ministers in Dhaka.
According to official sources, Pakistan’s Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Bangladeshi Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, where both sides agreed to establish a secretary-level joint working group between their interior ministries.
During the meeting, the two countries signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation to curb drug trafficking, narcotics abuse and the illegal movement of narcotic substances.
Mohsin Naqvi represented the Government of Pakistan, while Salahuddin Ahmed signed on behalf of the Bangladeshi government.
Under the agreement, both countries will cooperate closely to prevent illegal transportation and smuggling of drugs, while also devising joint strategies to dismantle narcotics supply chains and address the growing trend of drug abuse in society.
The agreement also provides for timely exchange of intelligence regarding drug traffickers and criminal networks, alongside cooperation in training personnel, sharing best practices and using modern technology for narcotics prevention.
During the meeting, Mohsin Naqvi also offered full cooperation to Bangladesh in the Safe City project and assured Islamabad’s support in related areas.
The Bangladeshi minister thanked Pakistan for the offer and welcomed enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Both sides also discussed expanding collaboration in internal security, counter-terrorism, prevention of human trafficking, cybercrime, organized crime and financial fraud.
The meeting further explored cooperation in training programmes for officers at police academies and civil armed forces institutions.
Mohsin Naqvi also invited his Bangladeshi counterpart to visit Pakistan.
Senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Home Secretary Mansur Chowdhury, and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider, were also present during the meeting.
Officials termed the development a new chapter in bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the fields of security and anti-narcotics efforts.