ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Sudan have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in tackling cybercrime and expand collaboration in security and other areas.
The decision was reached during talks between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his visiting Sudanese counterpart, Lt Gen Babiker Samra Mustafa Ali, in Islamabad on Saturday. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry also attended the meeting.
The Sudanese minister expressed his country’s interest in benefiting from Pakistan’s experience and expertise in combating cybercrime. Both sides also agreed to broaden cooperation in internal security, police training, institutional development and civil registration.
Naqvi assured the visiting delegation that Pakistan was ready to extend all possible assistance to Sudan in peace-building and reconstruction. He also offered professional training programmes for Sudanese police officers to strengthen their capabilities.
During the meeting, the interior minister highlighted the role of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in supporting Sudan’s civil registration system.
He said that with Nadra’s assistance, 36 million citizenship cards, nine million national identity cards, 18 million birth certificates and 500,000 death certificates had been issued in Sudan. He added that the authority was prepared to continue providing support for the country’s registration process.
The two ministers also discussed issues faced by Sudanese nationals living in Pakistan. After the visiting minister raised concerns about visa difficulties experienced by Sudanese women married to Pakistani citizens, Naqvi directed officials to resolve the matter immediately.
Naqvi further said that Sudanese citizens could access medical treatment in Pakistan and would receive all possible assistance in the health sector.
Expressing appreciation for Pakistan’s support, Lt Gen Babiker Samra Mustafa Ali described the country as a brotherly nation and said Sudan attached great importance to bilateral relations. He expressed his desire to expand cooperation across different sectors.
The visit also included high-level engagements with Pakistan’s military and political leadership. A day earlier, the Sudanese interior minister met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
He also held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. During the meeting, he appreciated Pakistan’s support for efforts to restore peace and security in Sudan at international forums.
