Pakistan remains committed to the 'Shanghai spirit', Naqvi tells SCO moot

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shanghai spirit” and called for a joint strategy among SCO member states to counter terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, cybercrime and terror financing.

Naqvi said this at a special meeting of the Ministers of Interior and Public Security of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

He said the region faced “serious and complex security challenges” and stressed that institutional coordination along modern lines was essential to tackle evolving threats.

“Pakistan fully adheres to the principles of the Shanghai Spirit, which is based on mutual trust, equality, cooperation, and respect for sovereignty,” he added.

Naqvi further stated that Pakistan had rendered “unparalleled sacrifices” against terrorism.

Under the National Action Plan, Naqvi said, Pakistan had strengthened intelligence coordination, border management and anti-money laundering measures.

He called for more effective cooperation under SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) on intelligence sharing, joint threat analysis and countering online extremism.

Pakistan, he said, fully supported workshops and expert exchanges in this regard.

“Regional cooperation in cyber intelligence and digital forensics is the need of the hour,” the minister further said.

Describing drug trafficking as a major source of terror financing, Naqvi urged for a joint strategy against narcotics, online networks and crypto transactions.

He termed border security key to regional peace and stability, and stressed greater cooperation against forged documents, watch-list coordination and human smuggling.

Stopping terror financing was among Pakistan’s key priorities, Naqvi said, adding that the country had reformed its anti-money laundering (AML).

Moreover, strong regional cooperation was indispensable for dismantling terror financing networks, he said.

“Our challenges are common, so our efforts must also be collective and coordinated,” Naqvi said. “The goal of our joint efforts is a peaceful and secure SCO region.”

Concluding his address, Naqvi said that Pakistan looked forward to welcoming participants at the SCO summit to be held in Islamabad in 2027.

Naqvi has held bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the SCO meeting as well.

A day earlier, he met his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni, and two discussed bilateral relations and the current regional situation.

During the talks, both ministers exchanged views on Pakistan-Iran relations and the latest regional situation.