Both sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in law enforcement and criminal justice.
President Zardari addresses the World Summit for Social Development in Doha on November 4, 2025 Photo: Radio Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday met Somalia’s Interior Minister Ali Yousuf and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral engagement.
He also witnessed the signing of an agreement that abolished visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders between Pakistan and Somalia, the chairman of the Press Wing of the Secretariat said in a press release.
The agreement was signed by Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia and Dawood Muhammad Baraech, Special Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control of Pakistan.
The president noted that Africa was an important part of the global geopolitical landscape and Pakistan was seeking to strengthen its ties with African states, including Somalia.
“Pakistan values its commitment to Somalia and supports closer collaboration in areas of shared interest,” he added.
President Zardari was informed that this visit of the Somali Interior Minister was the first official bilateral visit of Somalia to Pakistan in the last 35 years.
The president emphasized that Pakistan remained committed to regional and international efforts against transnational crime and narcotics trafficking.
The broader geopolitical situation and opportunities for bilateral cooperation were also discussed.
The Somali Interior Minister expressed his gratitude to the government of Pakistan, especially the Ministry of Interior, for the warm hospitality extended to him and the officials who accompanied him during the visit.
He said he was in Pakistan at the invitation of the Interior Minister of Pakistan and conveyed his gratitude to the President and people of Pakistan.
Ali Yousuf also delivered a letter from the President of Somalia to President Zardari, conveying greetings and good wishes and reaffirming the desire to deepen bilateral relations.
The Somali minister described Pakistan as a reliable partner and brother of Somalia since its independence, recalling the sacrifices made by Pakistani peacekeepers during UN missions in Somalia in the 1990s, where Pakistani personnel laid down their lives while serving under the United Nations flag.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on how to improve cooperation in law enforcement and criminal justice.
