Pakistan on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to the Shanghai Spirit and called for stronger regional cooperation against terrorism. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged SCO member states to adopt a joint strategy against emerging security threats. The appeal is significant for regional stability, security agencies, and member countries facing cross-border challenges.
Addressing a special meeting of interior and public security ministers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Naqvi said the region faced complex security challenges. He warned that terrorist and criminal networks were increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence, digital platforms, online networks, and cryptocurrency transactions. He stressed that modern threats required modern responses and closer institutional coordination.
Read more: SCO Summit and Pakistan
Naqvi emphasized the need for enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms and stronger collaboration among SCO members. He said shared threats demanded shared solutions and called for a comprehensive regional framework to combat terrorism, organized crime, cybercrime, and terror financing. He also reiterated Pakistan’s adherence to the Shanghai Spirit based on mutual trust, equality, cooperation, and respect for sovereignty.
Highlighting Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, Naqvi said the country had made significant sacrifices and strengthened its security framework under the National Action Plan. He noted improvements in intelligence coordination, border management, anti-money laundering measures, and financial monitoring systems. He also advocated greater cooperation through the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure to counter online radicalization and extremist propaganda.
Read more: Naqvi urges joint SCO action against regional security threats
The minister further called for coordinated action against narcotics trafficking, human smuggling, forged travel documents, and illicit financial flows. He said no country could effectively tackle transnational threats alone and stressed the importance of collective action. Concluding his address, Naqvi said Pakistan looked forward to hosting participants at the SCO summit in Islamabad in 2027, while also holding talks with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni on regional developments.