By Khawaja Hamza
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, intelligence sharing, prevention of illegal immigration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, cybercrime, police training and maritime security.
The understanding was reached during the visit of Malaysian Minister for Home Affairs Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who held a one-on-one meeting with Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi at the Ministry of Interior, followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries.
The two sides agreed to enhance intelligence sharing to counter terrorists and drug traffickers and to develop a more effective joint strategy against terrorism, narcotics trafficking and human trafficking. Cooperation to prevent illegal immigration and combat cybercrime was also discussed.
Pakistan and Malaysia agreed to establish a Joint Working Group between their Ministries of Interior to strengthen institutional coordination and promote regular cooperation on security and law-enforcement matters. It was also agreed that a high-level Pakistani delegation would visit Malaysia soon to further advance bilateral ties.
The two countries decided to enhance cooperation between the National Police Academy of Pakistan and the Royal Malaysia Police College, particularly in training and professional capacity-building programmes.
Cooperation in the Coast Guard sector was also discussed. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan wanted to benefit from Malaysia’s experience in the sector and expressed hope that the Malaysian minister’s visit would prove an important milestone in taking bilateral relations to a new level.
Naqvi highlighted Malaysia’s rapid development and its importance as a tourism destination for Pakistanis. The two sides discussed promoting tourism and facilitating visa procedures. Naqvi also said an increase in the employment quota for Pakistanis would enable more Pakistani citizens to travel to Malaysia through legal channels.
The issue of bilateral relations and economic cooperation was also discussed when Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail separately met President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, in a meeting attended by Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
President Zardari said Pakistan attaches great importance to its close and fraternal relations with Malaysia, which are rooted in shared faith and culture, mutual respect and strong people-to-people ties.
The President welcomed progress in institutional cooperation between the two countries, particularly in internal security, immigration, legal and judicial matters, and said continued coordination between relevant institutions would help facilitate citizens of both countries and address matters of mutual concern.
The two sides also discussed increasing bilateral trade and expanding market access. President Zardari stressed the need to explore greater access in Malaysia for Pakistani products in demand there, including rice, potatoes, wheat, poultry and animal feed.
The Malaysian minister informed the President that 2026 marks the 69th year of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Malaysia, which were established in 1957 following Malaysia’s independence.
He further said that 14 flights per week currently connect various cities of Pakistan with Malaysia, while efforts are underway to increase flight frequencies further. Greater air connectivity is expected to support tourism, trade, business and people-to-people contacts.
The Malaysian delegation accompanying the visiting minister included Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Ibrahim Darus, Director of Special Branch of the Royal Malaysia Police, and Hafidz Othman, Deputy Commissioner General Rehabilitation of the Malaysian Prison Department, among others.
Pakistan’s side during the Interior Ministry talks included Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary Interior, Director General FIA, Inspector General Federal Constabulary, National Coordinator NACTA, Director General Passports, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Inspector General Islamabad, as well as other senior officials.
The high-level engagements reflect a broadening of Pakistan-Malaysia strategic and institutional cooperation, with both countries seeking stronger coordination against transnational security threats while simultaneously expanding police training, maritime security, tourism, legal migration, trade, air connectivity and people-to-people relations.
