KUALA LUMPUR: A proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on narcotics cooperation will provide a more structured framework to strengthen existing collaboration between Malaysia and Pakistan in addressing current drug threats, said Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said discussions on the MoU were held during his visit to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan headquarters in Islamabad on Friday (Aug. 21), where he received a briefing from its Director-General, Major General Abdul Moeed.
Drug threats have become increasingly complex, particularly with the rise of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and the involvement of transnational organised crime networks operating across borders.
“Pakistan’s position, which directly faces drug flows from Afghanistan, makes cooperation with the country important for Malaysia, especially as trafficking routes extend to East Asia and Southeast Asia.
“We cannot address this threat only within national borders or the ASEAN region,” he said in a Facebook post in conjunction with his two-day official visit to Islamabad, Pakistan, which began on Thursday (Aug. 20).
He said that in dealing with increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, cooperation between enforcement agencies must go beyond agreements on paper, with intelligence sharing, coordinated intelligence-led operations and international networks being utilised to disrupt supply chains before drugs reach Malaysia.
Malaysia and Pakistan already have a strong operational foundation, including more than 28 cases jointly coordinated between 2012 and 2018.
He said future efforts would focus on revitalising cooperation through more active intelligence sharing, coordinated intelligence-based operations, training and expertise exchanges between agencies from both countries.
During the visit, Saifuddin Nasution also paid a courtesy call on Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, with discussions covering regional and international developments, the role of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts, and the need to strengthen cooperation among Islamic countries in facing current geopolitical and economic challenges
The discussions also covered economic cooperation, including trade and investment, food security involving potential rice and meat supplies from Pakistan, market access and efforts to enhance people-to-people ties through proposed visa facilitation.
He also held a meeting with his counterpart, Pakistan’s Interior and Narcotics Control Minister, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, where both sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to further develop cooperation in security, narcotics control and police training.
The meeting also witnessed the signing of the International Transfer of Prisoners Agreement between Malaysia and Pakistan.
Saifuddin Nasution and the Malaysian delegation also visited the headquarters of Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to observe the country’s identity management and civil registration systems.
The delegation was briefed by NADRA’s Chairman, Lt Gen. Muhammad Munir Afsar, on identity databases, biometrics, the use of technology in government service delivery, border management, passport data verification, digital identity and support for law enforcement efforts.
He said the visit opened opportunities for cooperation and expertise sharing in digital identity solutions, e-government, crisis management and cybersecurity.
The experience would be useful as the Home Ministry explores the use of technology to enhance security and improve system efficiency, in line with the MADANI Government’s efforts to ensure public sector digital transformation delivers direct benefits to the people. – BERNAMA
