Pakistan wants friendly and strong ties with Russia: Chaudhry Nisar

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APS): Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Thursday suggested to establish a Pak-Russia Joint Working Group (JWG) to put the existing bilateral cooperation on a fast

track and make efforts to identify potential areas for further strengthening the existing ties.

 He gave the proposal in a meeting with Director of Federal Drug Control Service, Russian Federation, Victor P. Ivanov held here at the Punjab House.

 During the meeting, both the sides discussed Pak-Russia bilateral relations, mutual cooperation, regional situation, efforts being made at individual as well as at regional level to fight the

menace of illegal drugs and future strategy.

 Welcoming Victor P. Ivanov, the Interior Minister said that Pakistan valued its friendly relations with Russia and desired to further strengthen the existing ties.

He said that Russia had a critical role to play towards regional peace, stability, development and finding solutions of the issues faced by the region.

 Discussing the menace of drugs and narcotics, Nisar observed that drug trafficking was a major hurdle in regional peace and development.

He said that there was a need to further strengthen actionable-intelligence-sharing mechanisms among various countries of the region in order to effectively bust drug dealers and their

networks.

The Interior Minister remarked that Pakistan was one of those countries where anti-narcotics authority was proactively taking steps against drug mafias.

Nisar said that increasing level of drugs production in neighbouring Afghanistan was a matter of great concern.

He said besides ensuring implementation of the relevant laws and effectively checking the movement of drugs, it was important to focus on creating alternate source of income in the

drug production areas.

The two leaders also agreed to further strengthen cooperation and invigorating Central Asian Anti-Drug Quintet that included

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan and Russia.

 They also agreed to further strengthen mutual cooperation in the area of analysis and forensic capabilities.

Victor P. Ivanov appreciated the efforts of Pakistan made for regional peace.

He said that Russia greatly valued efforts being made by Pakistan towards curbing drug trafficking.

 He said that Russia desired to further strengthen its cooperation with Pakistan in all possible areas.

Regarding forging greater cooperation and partnership,especially against illegal drugs, the minister observed that there was a need for greater and collective efforts towards anti-narcotics utilizing the platform of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization).