Pakistan, Malaysia Agree to Deepen Security, Counterterrorism Cooperation
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, immigration and law enforcement as Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail held a series of high-level meetings during an official visit to Islamabad.
Saifuddin met President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan’s Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi separately, with discussions focusing on expanding institutional cooperation between the two countries.
During his meeting with President Zardari, the two sides discussed closer cooperation in law enforcement, counterterrorism, narcotics control and efforts to combat human trafficking and irregular migration.
Zardari said Pakistan attaches significant importance to its longstanding relationship with Malaysia, describing bilateral ties as being rooted in shared values, mutual respect and strong people-to-people connections.
The president also welcomed progress in institutional cooperation, particularly in internal security, immigration and legal matters.
He said sustained contact between relevant Pakistani and Malaysian agencies could help address issues of mutual concern while providing greater facilitation to citizens of both countries.
Pakistan, Malaysia to Establish Joint Working Group
Security cooperation featured prominently in Saifuddin’s separate talks with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The two sides discussed counterterrorism, narcotics control, illegal immigration, cybercrime, policing and cross-border criminal activity.
Pakistan and Malaysia also agreed in principle to establish a working group between their interior ministries to provide an institutional mechanism for following up on security and law-enforcement cooperation. Malaysian reporting independently confirmed the agreement.
The ministers agreed to enhance intelligence sharing aimed at countering terrorism and drug trafficking and discussed closer coordination against human trafficking.
Cooperation between Pakistan’s National Police Academy and the Royal Malaysia Police College was also discussed, alongside opportunities for training and exchanges between law-enforcement agencies.
The talks covered a broad range of security issues, including policing, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism, drugs and transnational crime, cybersecurity, immigration, human trafficking, prisoner management and maritime enforcement.
Naqvi said Pakistan was also interested in learning from Malaysia’s experience in coast guard operations.
Prisoner Transfer Agreement Signed
The visit also produced a significant bilateral agreement on prisoners.
Pakistan and Malaysia signed an Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, allowing cooperation over nationals serving sentences in each other’s countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of the agreement between Saifuddin and Naqvi in Islamabad.
During his meeting with the Malaysian minister, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations with Malaysia across security, law enforcement, trade and investment.
The prime minister also praised Malaysia’s support for Pakistan’s regional peace efforts, while Saifuddin conveyed Kuala Lumpur’s desire to further deepen bilateral relations.
Trade and Air Connectivity Also Discussed
The talks extended beyond security.
During the meeting with President Zardari, the two sides discussed opportunities to increase bilateral trade. The president called for greater access for Pakistani products in the Malaysian market, including rice, potatoes, wheat, poultry products and animal feed.
Saifuddin said Pakistan and Malaysia were marking 69 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, with formal ties dating from Malaysia’s independence in 1957.
He also said there were currently 14 weekly flights connecting cities in Pakistan and Malaysia and that efforts were underway to increase air connectivity.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar separately met Saifuddin, with both sides discussing trade, economic cooperation, mutual legal assistance and people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional and international developments.
The series of meetings highlights a broader effort by Islamabad and Kuala Lumpur to expand a traditionally close relationship into more structured cooperation across security, law enforcement, trade, migration and legal affairs.
