Islamabad — Bilateral Talks Yield Joint Working Group
Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to establish a joint working group between their interior ministries, following talks in Islamabad between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The understanding was reached during delegation-level discussions, as reported by Dawn, with a focus on counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, cybercrime and the prevention of illegal immigration.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and human smuggling, according to The Nation (Pakistan). The discussions reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to increase cooperation in internal security and law enforcement, including training programmes and the exchange of expertise. The Nation reported that cooperation in the coast guard sector was another area of discussion, with Naqvi expressing Pakistan's interest in benefiting from Malaysia's experience in coast guard operations.
Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation between the National Police Academy of Pakistan and the Royal Malaysia Police College, Dawn reported. The two ministers also discussed promoting tourism and facilitating visa procedures.
Interior Minister Naqvi expressed hope that the Malaysian minister's visit would prove to be an important milestone in taking bilateral relations to the next level, Dawn reported. He said an increase in the work quota for Pakistanis would enable more Pakistani citizens to travel to Malaysia through legal channels. It was also agreed that a high-level Pakistani delegation would soon visit Malaysia to further advance bilateral ties, according to Dawn.
Presidential Meeting Broadens Agenda
Separately, the Malaysian minister met President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, where the president called for a deepening strategic alliance between Pakistan and Malaysia, as reported by Dawn. The meeting was also attended by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, with the Malaysian delegation including High Commissioner to Pakistan Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Ibrahim Darus, director of the Special Branch of the Royal Malaysia Police, and Hafidz Othman, deputy commissioner general of rehabilitation at the Malaysian Prison Department, according to BOL News.
President Zardari highlighted the critical need for unified efforts to combat transnational networks involved in human trafficking and migrant smuggling, Dawn reported, and welcomed progress in institutional cooperation between the two countries, particularly in internal security, immigration and legal and judicial affairs. He said stronger coordination between Pakistani and Malaysian institutions could make it easier for citizens of both countries to travel, work and address shared concerns, BOL News reported.
The president also called for closer cooperation in fighting cross-border crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking and the illegal movement of migrants, saying stronger law enforcement links could help both countries deal with these challenges more effectively.
Trade and Connectivity
Trade featured prominently in the presidential meeting, with Zardari urging Malaysia to provide greater access to its market for Pakistani products, including rice, potatoes, wheat, poultry and animal feed, according to BOL News. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to its close relationship with Malaysia, built on shared faith, cultural links and strong people-to-people connections.
Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin told the president that 2026 marks the 69th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which established ties in 1957 following Malaysia's independence, BOL News reported. He noted that 14 flights per week currently connect cities in Pakistan and Malaysia, with efforts underway to increase the number of flights.