RAWALPINDI: Terms of reference (ToR) were signed by the militaries of Pakistan and Malaysia on Wednesday to institutionalise a long-term framework for military cooperation.

The development came after Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif reached Malaysia on a two-day official visit and held meetings with the military leadership of the host country to formalise military-to-military cooperation.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, a smartly turned out contingent of the Malaysian army presented a guard of honour to Gen Sharif on arrival at the army headquarters.

He held separate meetings with Gen Tan Sri Dato Sri Haji Zulkifeli bin Mohd Zin, Chief of Defence Forces, and Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi bin Raja Mohamed Noor, Chief of Malaysian Army.

Gen Sharif was introduced to senior army commanders and given a briefing on operational and training aspects of the Malaysian army.

During his meetings with the Malaysian military leadership, military-to-military relations, joint military training and defence collaboration were discussed.

The chief of defence forces and the army chief of Malaysia praised Pakistan army’s achievements in the fight against terrorism and efforts for regional peace and stability.

Gen Sharif said that Malaysia and Pakistan had convergence of interests in different domains of regional security and the need to go after terrorism indiscriminately.

In the evening, Gen Sharif met Defence Minis­ter Dato Seri Hishamm­uddin Tun Hussein in Putrajaya.

During the meeting, the Malaysian minister expres­sed his desire to expand the range of defence collaboration to enable the two militaries to benefit from each other’s experience and professional skills.

He said that the spirit of cooperation would help in strengthening the existing relations between the two armies and evolve the ties into a long-term strategic partnership.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2016