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ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called for further strengthening of Pakistan-Malaysia cooperation in law enforcement, counter-terrorism, narcotics control, and efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The President expressed these views during a meeting with Malaysia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday. Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi also attended the meeting. High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Ibrahim Darus, Director of Special Branch, Royal Malaysia Police, and Deputy Commissioner General Rehabilitation, Malaysian Prison Department, Hafidz Othman, also accompanied the visiting Minister, among others. Matters relating to increasing bilateral trade also came under discussion.

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The President stressed the need to explore greater market access in Malaysia for Pakistani products that are in demand there, including rice, potatoes, wheat, poultry, and animal feed.

Welcoming the Malaysian Minister and his delegation, the President said Pakistan attaches great importance to its close and fraternal relations with Malaysia, rooted in shared faith, culture, mutual respect and strong people-to-people ties.

The President appreciated the positive progress in strengthening institutional cooperation, particularly in internal security, immigration, and legal and judicial matters. He said continued coordination between the relevant institutions of the two countries would help facilitate their citizens and address matters of mutual concern.

The visiting 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 also informed that 14 flights per week currently connect various cities of Pakistan with Malaysia, and that efforts are underway to further increase the frequency of flights.

The President expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to strengthening institutional ties and further deepening the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026