Pakistan and Bangladesh have signed a new agreement to enhance cooperation against drug trafficking and narcotics abuse, marking another positive step in improving ties between the two countries. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s visit to Dhaka, where he met his Bangladeshi counterpart Salahuddin Ahmed.
It was reported by the Ministry of Interior of Pakistan that both ministers had signed the accord for their respective governments and decided to form a joint working group at the secretary level to improve coordination between the two ministries.
Pakistan and Bangladesh have committed themselves to cooperating completely with each other in preventing the illicit movement and trafficking of narcotics. Besides, they have also committed to collaborating with each other in minimizing drug abuse and combating its negative socio-economic effects. Both parties have also decided to devise a strategy to dismantle narcotics trafficking networks.
The ministry further noted that the concerned authorities in both countries will exchange intelligence and information concerning the trafficking of drugs and organised crime syndicates in a timely manner. Besides, both countries will also exchange technology and expertise in the field of narcotics prevention and enforcement.
Besides anti-drug operations, a range of cooperation was also discussed, including internal security, cyber crimes, organized crimes, financial crimes, and counter terrorism.
The two ministers also deliberated on ways to prevent human trafficking and coordinate bilateral efforts regarding regional security issues. The meeting concluded with an invitation extended by Minister Naqvi to his Bangladeshi counterpart to visit Pakistan in the very near future.
The relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have greatly improved over the past few years due to strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Several senior visits have taken place between both nations’ officials to bolster cooperation in different domains such as politics, economy, and security.
