Munir Meets Sudan Interior Minister at GHQ
Field Marshal Asim Munir met the Sudan interior minister at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday, and the two sides pledged to deepen security and counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan and Sudan.
Lt Gen Babiker Samra Mustafa Ali, Sudan’s interior minister, called on the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff during his visit to Pakistan. The military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the meeting covered matters of mutual interest and the changing regional and global security picture. The Express Tribune reported that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to stronger relations, with a focus on security, counterterrorism and institutional cooperation.
Sudan interior minister meets Munir at GHQ
The ISPR said the two sides discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation alongside the evolving security dynamics in the region and the wider world.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening relations between the two countries, particularly in the fields of security, counterterrorism and institutional cooperation,” the ISPR said in its statement.
The visiting minister appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability. He also acknowledged the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Sudan.
Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to deepen bilateral engagement with Sudan. He stressed the value of close cooperation in tackling shared security challenges, the statement added.
Dar reaffirms support for Sudan
Earlier on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met the Sudanese interior minister at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
“Pakistan remains steadfast in its support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” Dar said, according to a Foreign Office statement. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also attended.
The Sudanese minister thanked Pakistan for its support and continued solidarity. He said Sudan wanted to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in areas of mutual interest. The meeting fits a wider pattern of security diplomacy by Pakistan, which has recently deepened counterterrorism cooperation with the United Kingdom and concluded the Dosti-III exercise with Tajikistan at Cherat.
PM Shehbaz met the minister a day earlier
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had met the Sudanese interior minister in Islamabad, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister welcomed the visiting dignitary and said Pakistan attached great importance to its longstanding and fraternal relations with Sudan.
“We want Sudan to emerge from its current crisis as a peaceful, stable and prosperous country,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan was keen to strengthen bilateral relations further, with a focus on trade and investment. He pointed to vast opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, defence, education and other sectors, and said Pakistan valued Sudan’s cooperation at the United Nations, the OIC, the G-77 and other multilateral forums.
The Sudanese minister thanked the prime minister and the Pakistani government for the warm reception and hospitality. He also expressed gratitude for the humanitarian and medical assistance provided by the Pakistani government and people during difficult times, and for Pakistan’s support at international forums for efforts to restore peace and security in Sudan.
Why the visit matters
Sudan has been in crisis for years, and Pakistan has consistently backed its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. The minister’s three meetings in two days, with the prime minister, the foreign minister and the army chief, show that both sides want the relationship to move beyond routine courtesy calls.
The visit also comes as Pakistan builds out its defence partnerships. Turkiye’s parliament has ratified the Makkah defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and the alliance’s secretary general is due to take charge in Riyadh soon. The Sudan meetings add another strand to that outreach.
For Sudan, the visit brings public backing from a country that has stood by it at the United Nations and in other forums. For Pakistan, it is a chance to show that its defence diplomacy reaches beyond its immediate neighbourhood.
Who is Sudan’s interior minister?
Sudan’s interior minister is Lt Gen Babiker Samra Mustafa Ali, a police lieutenant general. He is visiting Pakistan and has met the prime minister, the foreign minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
What did Munir and the minister discuss?
They discussed matters of mutual interest, regional and global security dynamics, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, with a focus on security, counterterrorism and institutional cooperation.
What did Dar say about Sudan?
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan remains steadfast in its support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and stressed the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with Sudan.
What did PM Shehbaz tell the minister?
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan wants Sudan to emerge from its current crisis as a peaceful, stable and prosperous country, and pointed to opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, defence and education.
