Pakistan, South Africa sign defence cooperation MoU

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and South Africa on Monday signed a Memorandum of Underst­anding (MOU) for enhancing cooperation in defence and defence production.

The MOU was signed between Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and South African Minister for Defence and Defence Industry Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula.

Under the agreement, a joint committee has been formed which will pave way for strengthening and diversifying formal structures, collaborative programmes, exchange of information and training of the armed forces officers of the two countries.





The cooperation between both the countries will help open new vistas in both the defence and defence production sectors, stated Khawaja Asif while interacting with the media on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Nqakula said that her country attached high importance to Pakistan in diplomatic relations. She said that the image of Pakistan portrayed abroad was totally different from that of the actual. "Islamabad is a peaceful place - I am amazed that there is no disturbance as was portrayed earlier."

Pakistan is a disciplined country but its image is tarnished, she observed.



Meeting with army chief

The South African Minister of Defence also called on Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters.

During the meeting, the Army chief and the minister exchanged views on issues of mutual interest including defence and security cooperation between both the countries and overall regional security situation, according to the Inter Services Public Relations.

The minister expressed her appreciation for Army's successes in elimination of terrorism from Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2017.