Islamabad (TDI): As the Interior Minister of Somalia is visiting Pakistan, both countries have agreed to waive visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders. This agreement was signed as the minister and his delegation met the President of Pakistan.
The agreement was signed by Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, and Dawood Muhammad Baraech, Special Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control of Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari noted at the occasion that Africa is an important part of the world’s geopolitical landscape and that Pakistan seeks to strengthen its ties with African states including Somalia.
“Pakistan values its engagement with Somalia and supports closer collaboration in areas of shared interest,” he said. The Somali minister, Ali Yousuf, informed that this visit is the first bilateral official visit from Somalia to Pakistan in the past 35 years.
President Zardari emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to regional and international efforts against transnational crime and narcotics trafficking.
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Broader geopolitical situation and opportunities for bilateral cooperation also came under discussion. Somali Interior Minister also handed over a letter from the President of Somalia, “conveying greetings and good wishes.”
Ali Yousuf described Pakistan as a reliable partner and brother to Somalia since its independence, recalling the sacrifices made by Pakistani peacekeepers during UN missions in Somalia in the 1990s where Pakistani personnel laid down their lives while serving under the United Nations flag.
Both sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in law enforcement and criminal justice. Discussions included the feasibility of negotiating a bilateral extradition treaty and the legal frameworks governing extradition in each country.
The possibility of initiating discussions on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons was also explored; in addition to cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts, collaboration against drug trafficking and organized crime, information and intelligence sharing, as well as capacity building and training of personnel.
Pakistan has also offered assistance in the fields of advanced identity management, civil registration and secure documentation systems as well as in providing training to Somalian police force.
