ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday told Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide that Afghan soil was continuously being used for terrorism in Pakistan, as the two sides discussed counterterrorism cooperation and the activities of proscribed organisations operating from neighbouring Afghanistan.
Eide arrived in Pakistan a day earlier on a two-day visit, the first by a Norwegian foreign minister in a decade.
According to a handout issued by the Interior Ministry, Naqvi and Eide discussed strengthening bilateral relations and the regional situation, with the two countries agreeing to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, prevention of illegal immigration, police training and mutual legal assistance.
The situation in Afghanistan and the activities of proscribed organisations operating from the neighbouring country also came under discussion.
Naqvi told Eide that “Afghan soil is continuously being used for terrorism in Pakistan”, according to the statement.
He said that Pakistan stood “as a wall” between the world and terrorist elements and stressed the need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism.
“Everyone must work together for the complete eradication of terrorism,” the interior minister was quoted as saying.
The meeting also covered Pakistan’s measures to curb illegal immigration to Europe.
Naqvi said Pakistan’s effective measures had resulted in a 47 per cent reduction in illegal immigration to Europe, adding that the country had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal immigration.
He said Pakistan’s measures had also been appreciated by the European Union.
“Promoting legal immigration is very important for effectively curbing illegal immigration,” Naqvi said.
The interior minister described Eide’s visit as an “important milestone” in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Norway.
Eide, meanwhile, lauded Pakistan’s “constructive and active” role in efforts to reduce tensions in the US-Iran conflict.
He also appreciated the active role of the Pakistani diaspora in Norway and its contributions to various sectors, including politics and healthcare.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.
On Thursday, Eide held a series of engagements with Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership. The discussions covered expanding cooperation in trade, investment, technology, climate resilience, maritime affairs, skilled labour and security, while the two sides also exchanged views on regional developments.
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