Pakistan, Malaysia to enhance security cooperation

President Asif Ali Zardari and Malaysian Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail have agreed to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia in security and law enforcement during a meeting at the President House.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present during the meeting. President Zardari and the Malaysian interior minister discussed various issues, including counterterrorism and bilateral trade, while stressing the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in security and law enforcement.

President Zardari said Pakistan and Malaysia enjoyed brotherly relations based on strong foundations of shared faith, culture and mutual respect. He also emphasised the need to enhance joint cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking.

The meeting reviewed progress in institutional cooperation in internal security, immigration, and legal and judicial matters. President Zardari said continued communication and cooperation between relevant institutions could provide greater facilitation to citizens of both countries.

The two sides also discussed prospects for promoting bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia. President Zardari stressed the need for greater market access for Pakistani products in Malaysia.

He said there was demand in Malaysia for Pakistani rice, potatoes, wheat, poultry and animal feed, which could be utilised to increase the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries.

The Malaysian interior minister said 2026 marked the 69th year of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Malaysia. The meeting also reviewed air connectivity between the two countries, with officials informing the meeting that 14 flights were currently operating between Pakistan and Malaysia every week, while efforts were underway to further increase air links.

Both sides agreed that the Malaysian interior minister’s visit to Pakistan would help further strengthen bilateral relations, security cooperation and institutional ties between the two countries.