Pakistan and Russia agreed on Wednesday to finalise an extradition treaty and sign a memorandum of understanding on preventing organised crime and sharing information.
The decision marks a major step forward in security cooperation between the two countries. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and visiting Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev reached the understanding during talks in Islamabad.
Kolokoltsev arrived on Monday for a four day official visit at Naqvi’s invitation. It is the first time a Russian interior minister has visited Pakistan.
After the ministerial meeting and delegation level talks, both sides agreed to complete their agreements on extradition and the exchange of criminals. They also agreed to put their readmission agreement into effect early. The planned memorandum will give both countries a formal framework for joint action and intelligence sharing against organised crime.
The two sides also pledged closer cooperation between Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force and its Russian counterparts to stop drug trafficking. Their talks covered terrorism, illegal arms, illegal migration and cybercrime, including phone scams, phishing and cryptocurrency fraud.
Naqvi called the proposed memorandum an important milestone. He said closer coordination would help both countries deal with shared security threats, and that Pakistan could learn from Russia’s experience in fighting cybercrime.
The ministers also discussed sending skilled Pakistani workers to Russia and easing visa rules for tourists and business travellers. Naqvi said a more flexible visa system would bring people closer and create more room for trade, travel and education.
He pointed out that about 1,300 Pakistani students currently study in Russia, and said Islamabad wants to expand educational exchanges. The two sides also discussed cooperation between Pakistan’s National Police Academy and Russian police institutions, mainly on training and cybercrime prevention.
Relations between the two countries have grown warmer in recent years, especially in energy, trade and connectivity. President Vladimir Putin has described ties with Islamabad as truly beneficial for both sides, and Russian officials call Pakistan an important strategic partner on economic and energy matters.
Pakistan stands to gain access to cheaper energy and new markets for its workers and exports. Russia, facing sanctions over the war in Ukraine, is looking to build partnerships beyond the West.
Cooperation is now moving past diplomacy and energy into practical internal security work, including extradition, organised crime, cybercrime and police training. Working groups from both interior ministries are expected to visit in the coming months to keep the process moving.
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