KUALA LUMPUR: Armies of Pakistan and Malaysia signed terms of reference (ToRs) to institutionalise a long-term framework for military cooperation, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Wednesday.
According to the ISPR statement, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif – who is in Malaysia on a two-day official visit – held separate meetings with Malaysian officials.
General Sharif met his Malaysian counterpart as well as chief of defence forces. He was also introduced to senior Malaysian Army commanders and was given detailed briefing on operational and training aspects of the army.
During his meetings with the military leadership of Malaysia, military to military relations, joint military training and defence collaboration were discussed.
Malaysia’s military leadership praised Pakistan Army’s achievements in fight against terrorism and efforts for regional peace and stability, the statement said.
On his part, General Raheel Sharif said that Pakistan and Malaysia had convergence of interests in various domains of regional security and the need to go after terrorism indiscriminately.
Later, General Sharif met Malaysia’s Minister for Defence Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein at Putrajaya, who expressed his desire to expand the range of defence collaboration, mutually benefitting from each other’s experience and professional skills.
The Malaysian defence minister reiterated that the spirit of cooperation will be helpful in strengthening the existing relationship between the two armies evolving into a long term strategic partnership.