Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said that the US cooperation for the capacity building of the country’s law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) was of great importance, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
He was talking to the US Ambassador in Pakistan Donald Blome, who called on him at the Interior Ministry’s building in Islamabad to discuss a raft of issues including anti-terror cooperation.
The interior minister assured the US envoy that his ministry would play a cardinal role in further strengthening Pak-USA ties.
He recalled that during his recent visit to New York, he held discussions with the City’s Police Department officials on enhancing cooperation between the Islamabad Police and the New York Police. “A delegation of Islamabad Police would visit New York soon to benefit from the opportunities for cooperation,” Naqvi said, adding, “Federal capital police’s officials have the desire to receive training in the USA.”
The minister told the visitor that all minorities living in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights under the constitution. “The protection of minorities is the responsibility of the government, which has done all it could do to fulfill its obligation."
Naqvi informed Blome that all perpetrators of the Jarranwala incident had been arrested and produced before the court.
Terming the T-20 Cricket World Cup (WC) held in the USA recently a ‘success’, he said that best arrangements had been made for the event. “Now we are working on organizing a tri-series between Pakistan, the USA and Canada. We also plan to start a cricket league in both the USA and Canada.”
Speaking on the occasion, the US envoy said a large number of people came to the grounds during the T-20 WC to watch thrilling contests.
The interior minister and the US ambassador discussed relations between the two countries and other matters of mutual interest.
Both agreed to increase cooperation in the fight against terrorism and narcotics.
Interior Secretary Khurram Ali Agha, Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa and Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi were also present at the meeting.
Earlier, the interior minister welcomed the US ambassador on arrival at the ministry.
Reporter: Awais Kiani