Gen Raheel in Kuala Lumpur: Military ties with Malaysia discussed

General Raheel Sharif said Malaysia and Pakistan had convergence of interests in various domains of regional security

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday held meetings with Malaysia’s civil and military leaders during his two-day visit to the country.

During his meetings with the military leadership, military-to-military relations, joint military training and defence collaboration were discussed, the ISPR said in a statement.

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Tan Sri Dato Sri Haji Zulkifeli bin Mohd Zin and Chief of Army General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi bin Raja Mohamed Noor praised Pakistan army’s achievements in the fight against terrorism and their efforts for regional peace and stability.

General Raheel Sharif said that Malaysia and Pakistan had convergence of interests in various domains of regional security and needed to go after terrorism indiscriminately.

Terms of Reference were later signed between the two militaries to institutionalise a long term framework for military cooperation.

COAS also met with the Minister of Defence Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein at Putrajaya.

He expressed the desire to expand the range of defence collaboration, mutually benefitting from each other’s experience and professional skills.

“The spirit of cooperation will be helpful in strengthening the existing relationship between the two armies evolving into a long term strategic partnership,” Hussein reiterated.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2016.