Islamabad (Staff Reporter):
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, met with Somali Interior Minister Ali Yusuf at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. During the meeting, a landmark agreement was signed to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports between Pakistan and Somalia.
According to a statement issued by the Presidential Media Wing on Saturday, the agreement was signed by Hamza Aden Hado, Permanent Secretary of the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Dawood Muhammad Barich, Special Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.
President Zardari emphasized that Africa is a strategically significant region in global geopolitics and that Pakistan aims to further strengthen its ties with Somalia and other African countries. He noted that Pakistan values its relationship with Somalia and seeks close cooperation in areas of mutual interest. It was highlighted that this visit is the first official bilateral visit from Somalia to Pakistan in the past 35 years.
The President also stressed Pakistan’s commitment to regional and international efforts against transnational crimes and drug smuggling. Discussions during the meeting also focused on broader geopolitical issues and potential areas for bilateral cooperation.
Somali Interior Minister Ali Yusuf thanked the Government of Pakistan, especially the Ministry of Interior, for its hospitality. He also expressed gratitude to President Zardari and the people of Pakistan. Minister Yusuf presented a letter from the Somali President conveying goodwill, best wishes, and a desire to strengthen bilateral ties further. He described Pakistan as a trusted partner and brotherly nation and paid tribute to Pakistani peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives during UN missions in Somalia in the 1990s.
The two sides discussed enhancing cooperation between law enforcement agencies and in the criminal justice sector. Talks included possibilities for negotiating a bilateral extradition treaty and reviewing the legal framework for extradition in both countries. They also explored mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced individuals.
Additionally, both sides agreed on cooperation in counter-narcotics measures, combating drug smuggling and organized crime, exchanging intelligence and information, building capacity, and training personnel. President Zardari was informed that Pakistan has offered support through NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) in modern identification systems, civil registration, secure documentation, and training of Somali police personnel.
The meeting was attended by Federal Interior Minister and Narcotics Control Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry, Somali Ambassador to Pakistan Sheikh Noor Muhammad Hassan, and Somali Deputy Police Chief Usman Abdullahi.