PNN: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday announced the creation of a special protection unit in Islamabad to safeguard Chinese citizens, stressing that their security is Pakistan’s top priority.
Naqvi made the announcement during a visit to the headquarters of China’s Ministry of Public Security, where he was received by Chinese Interior Minister Wang Xiaohong. The two held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting covering Pakistan-China relations, counterterrorism cooperation, police training exchanges and other areas of mutual interest.
Both sides agreed that the joint working group on internal security would meet every three months, while interior ministers from the two countries would hold annual meetings. They stressed the need to improve coordination to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Xiaohong expressed satisfaction over measures taken by Pakistan to protect Chinese citizens and praised Islamabad’s efforts in counterterrorism and internal security. He said China views Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism with great respect.
The two ministers also agreed to further strengthen the joint rapid response system against terrorism and crime. Discussions included sister city initiatives between Islamabad and Beijing, as well as a joint strategy to improve the training and professional skills of police and security personnel.
Naqvi highlighted the importance of exchanging experience and information between police and security institutions through training programmes. He briefed his counterpart on steps taken to ensure the security of Chinese nationals and joint projects.
“We have taken strong measures at all levels to ensure the security of Chinese citizens and joint projects,” Naqvi said, adding that a special protection unit was being set up in Islamabad for this purpose.
He said Pakistan would welcome Chinese cooperation in preventing cybercrime and intends to use Chinese support to strengthen the capacity of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. He added that AI-based Chinese technologies could help Pakistan address counterterrorism and broader security challenges.
“Pakistan and China share an unbreakable bond of enduring cooperation, and no one can create a wedge between us,” Naqvi said, expressing his desire to further expand cooperation to protect mutual interests.
Naqvi invited Xiaohong to visit Pakistan, while the Chinese interior minister invited him to participate in the Global Security Cooperation Forum in China this September. Xiaohong said he was pleased to welcome the Pakistani minister at the start of 2026 and reaffirmed China’s readiness to enhance bilateral cooperation at all levels. He also hosted a luncheon in honour of Naqvi and his delegation.
Chinese officials present included Vice Ministers Xu Datong and Yu Xiuhe, Beijing Deputy Mayor and Director General of the Beijing Public Security Bureau Cen Yuanbiao, Director General of the Ministry of Public Security General Office Guo Kan, Director General of the Counter-Terrorism Department Gao Qiu, and Director General of the International Cooperation Department Wang Yong.
Pakistani officials included Federal Secretary Interior Khurram Agha, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, Director General of the National Police Academy Muhammad Idrees, Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency Syed Khurram Ali, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Islamabad Police Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi.