ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkiye on Friday signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism, narcotics trafficking and organised crime and agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to strengthen collaboration between their interior ministries.

The decisions were taken during a meeting between Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Turkish counterpart Mustafa Çiftçi at the Turkish Ministry of Interior in Istanbul, according to information received here through the interior ministry’s media wing.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation through technical assistance, exchange of experts and joint initiatives in the fields of cyber policing, Anti-Narcotics Force, National Police Academy and other relevant areas.

During the meeting, Mr Naqvi briefed his Turkish counterpart on the positive results of Pakistan’s crackdown against the illegal immigration mafia.

The Turkish interior minister said that the rate of illegal immigration from Pakistan to Turkiye had declined from 70 per cent to 17pc, appreciated Pakistan’s measures and acknowledged the remarkable reduction.

Both interior ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Earlier, Mr Naqvi arrived in Istanbul on an official visit to Turkiye, where he received a warm welcome at the airport.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026