Pakistan, Turkiye Sign Anti-Terror Pact in Istanbul
Pakistan and Turkiye have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, narcotics trafficking and organised crime, setting up a joint working group to improve coordination between their interior ministries.
The agreement was signed in Istanbul on Friday during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Turkish counterpart, Mustafa Çiftçi, at the Turkish Ministry of Interior. Naqvi is in Turkiye on an official visit and was received at the airport on arrival, according to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry.
Cyber policing at the centre of the deal
Both sides agreed to expand cooperation through technical assistance, the exchange of experts and joint initiatives in cyber policing, anti-narcotics operations, police training and other security areas.
The proposed cooperation will also involve Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force and the National Police Academy, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacity and improving coordination on shared security challenges.
Cyber policing has become a priority for Islamabad as online crime and digital threats grow. Pakistan’s own National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency has been expanding its operations, and the deal with Turkiye points to a push for international help in building cyber-enforcement skills.
Illegal immigration discussed
During the meeting, Naqvi briefed Çiftçi on the results of Pakistan’s crackdown on networks involved in illegal immigration. The Turkish interior minister said illegal immigration from Pakistan to Turkiye had fallen sharply, and praised Pakistan’s measures.
According to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, Çiftçi said the rate of illegal immigration from Pakistan to Turkiye had declined from 70 per cent to 17 per cent, and welcomed the reported reduction. The ministry’s account did not specify the period covered or the method used to calculate the decline.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and improving coordination on shared security challenges.
Why it matters
Pakistan and Turkiye have long-standing defence and security ties, and the agreement formalises a deeper working relationship at a time when both countries face cross-border crime and terror threats. A joint working group between the two interior ministries would give the cooperation a permanent structure instead of ad hoc meetings.
The deal follows a series of regional security moves involving Islamabad, including the recent emergency talks in Riyadh under the Makkah defence arrangement. For Pakistan, which is stepping up counterterrorism operations at home, international partnerships on cyber policing and narcotics enforcement add another layer to its security strategy.
Officials on both sides described the Istanbul meeting as a step towards turning shared concerns into joint action. More details on the working group’s membership and timeline are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Pakistan-Turkiye security agreement cover?
The agreement covers cooperation against terrorism, narcotics trafficking and organised crime, with joint initiatives in cyber policing, anti-narcotics operations and police training, plus a joint working group between the interior ministries.
Who signed the agreement?
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi signed it in Istanbul on Friday, October 9, 2026.
What was said about illegal immigration?
Çiftçi said illegal immigration from Pakistan to Turkiye had declined from 70 per cent to 17 per cent and welcomed Pakistan’s crackdown on illegal immigration networks.
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