Key Points
- Islamabad and Osla agree to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, illegal immigration and police training.
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi highlights a 47% decline in illegal immigration to Europe.
- Both sides discuss the security situation in Afghanistan.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Norway have agreed to strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism, prevention of illegal immigration, police training and mutual legal assistance, with both sides also discussing the evolving security situation in Afghanistan.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Islamabad, said a statement issued by the interior ministry ion Friday.
Naqvi said Pakistan’s measures had contributed to a 47% reduction in illegal immigration to Europe, reiterating that the country had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal migration. He said the European Union had also acknowledged and appreciated Islamabad’s efforts.
ناروے کے وزیر خارجہ ایسپن بارتھ ائیڈے کی وزارت داخلہ آمد,وفاقی وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی سے ملاقات
ملاقات میں دو طرفہ تعلقات کے فروغ اور خطے کی صورتحال پر تفصیلی تبادلہ خیال pic.twitter.com/QxdmR12iFe— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) August 14, 2026
The interior minister stressed that expanding legal migration opportunities was essential to effectively addressing illegal migration and ensuring safe and orderly movement of people.
The two ministers also discussed developments in Afghanistan and the activities of proscribed organisations operating from Afghan territory.
Naqvi said Afghan soil continued to be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan, stressing the need for collective international efforts to eliminate terrorism.
He said Pakistan was playing a frontline role in combating terrorism and stood as a barrier between the wider world and the threat posed by terrorist organisations.
The Norwegian foreign minister, meanwhile, appreciated Islamabad’s constructive and active role in efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran.
Norway backs Pakistan’s peace role
Pakistan and Norway on Thursday also agreed to deepen economic and diplomatic ties, including efforts to boost trade, expedite pending agreements, and expand labour mobility, as Oslo praised Islamabad’s role in promoting peace during the recent Iran-US conflict.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide held delegation-level talks in Islamabad, followed by a joint press conference in which both sides outlined areas for expanding bilateral cooperation.
Dar said Islamabadf attaches great importance to its relations with Norway and that the two countries had agreed that bilateral trade remained below its potential. He said Islamabad and Oslo would work on concrete measures to increase economic engagement.
The two sides also agreed to expedite the finalisation of pending agreements and memoranda of understanding to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, Dar said.
Labour mobility was another focus of the discussions, with the two countries agreeing to enhance people-to-people contacts and continue working on legal pathways to facilitate employment opportunities for the country’s skilled workforce in Norway.
The talks covered trade, investment, climate change, maritime affairs, and education. The two sides also recognised the contribution of Pakistan’s diaspora in Norway and agreed to strengthen people-to-people links.
Eide said Norway had strong links with Islamabad, noting that a large Pakistani community lives in Norway and that Norwegian companies are operating in Pakistan and contributing to its economic development.
Also Read: Pakistan, Norway Discuss Regional Security, Defence Ties
The Norwegian foreign minister also strongly backed IIslamabad’s efforts to facilitate dialogue and peace in the region.
The visit marks the first by a Norwegian foreign minister to Pakistan in a decade and represents the highest-level engagement between the two countries in 10 years. Eide is visiting Pakistan on August 13-14 at Dar’s invitation.
The economic relationship has room for expansion. Pakistan’s trade data compiled by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry shows total bilateral trade at about $186.4 million in 2025.
