President calls for stronger Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in law enforcement, security | The Express Tribune

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday called for further strengthening of Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in law enforcement, counterterrorism, narcotics control and combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

In a meeting with Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs Dato’ Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and his delegation in Islamabad, the president called for further consolidation of multi-faceted cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia, according to a statement issued by the president’s office.

Welcoming the Malaysian delegation, President Zardari said Pakistan regarded its “close and fraternal relations” with Malaysia as highly important, adding that the relationship was rooted in shared faith, culture, mutual respect and strong people-to-people ties.

The president praised the strengthening institutional cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of internal security, immigration, and legal and judicial matters.

President Zardari said continued coordination between relevant institutions would help facilitate citizens of both countries and address matters of mutual concern.

The two sides also discussed ways to increase bilateral trade.

Speaking to the delegation, the president stressed the need to explore greater market access in Malaysia for Pakistani products in demand there, including rice, potatoes, wheat, poultry and animal feed.

Read: Pakistan, Malaysia vow to strengthen ties

During the meeting, Malaysian Minister Ismail told the president that 2026 marked the 69th year of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Malaysia, which were established in 1957 following Malaysia’s independence.

The Malaysian minister also informed the president that 14 flights per week currently connected various Pakistani cities with Malaysian counterparts, adding that efforts were under way to increase the frequency of flights.

President Zardari expressed confidence that the Malaysian minister’s visit would contribute to strengthening institutional ties and further deepening the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between the two countries.

A day earlier, Ismail, with his delegation, also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad at the PM House.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz also witnessed the signing of the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons between Pakistan and Malaysia.

The agreement was signed by Malaysian Minister Ismail and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi on behalf of the respective governments in Islamabad.

Separately on the same day, PM Shehbaz also held a telephone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim.

The two premiers appreciated the “current positive trajectory of bilateral cooperation” between the countries and hoped to build on momentum.

PM Shehbaz invited PM Ibrahim on an official visit to the country “at his earliest convenience”.