Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to start police training exchange programme | The Express Tribune

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif agreed to launch a training exchange programme for police and paramilitary forces, marking a new phase of professional cooperation between the two countries. The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia, where both sides discussed security cooperation and institutional linkages between the two interior ministries.

During the meeting, Prince Abdulaziz extended condolences to the families of the personnel martyred in the recent attack on the Federal Constabulary Headquarters in Peshawar, acknowledging their service and sacrifice. The two ministers underscored the need to deepen collaboration in information sharing, capacity building, and coordinated responses to emerging security threats.

The legal status of Rohingya Muslims residing in Saudi Arabia also came under discussion, with Prince Abdulaziz expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s support on the matter. It was further decided that the next session of the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Interior Ministries Working Group would take place next month to follow up on the agreed initiatives.

Naqvi described Saudi Arabia as “a second home for every Pakistani” and highlighted the longstanding partnership between the two nations. The meeting was attended by Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq, Commandant Federal Constabulary Nazir Gaara, Commandant National Police Academy Muhammad Idrees, and senior Saudi interior ministry officials.

The interior minister, who is on a regional trip, had earlier met Qatar’s Minister of Interior Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on Monday, where the two discussed regional and bilateral matters. Their talks included enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies, joint efforts to curb drug trafficking, strengthened coordination between coastal security units, and other areas of mutual interest.

In a message posted on X, he thanked his Qatari counterpart for assisting in the establishment of a state-of-the-art firing range at the National Police Academy in Islamabad and extended an invitation for a visit to Pakistan.