Pakistan Hopes Bilateral Defence Relations Further Intensified

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz and Tengku Faezah Tengku Yusof KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Pakistan hopes that its longstanding defence relations with Malaysia could be further intensified, especially in the training of personnel and combating terrorism, said Defence Adviser at the Pakistan High Commission in Malaysia, Commodore Jawad Ahmed. "We also look forward to intensify cooperation through military exercises, exchange of personnel and information-sharing," he told Bernama at the Pakistan’s 50th Armed Forces Day celebration held here Monday night. Jawad said that Pakistan was also looking forward to taking part in the upcoming 15th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA 2016), touted as the top five defence shows in the world, after successfully participating in the show in 2014. He said that taking part in the biennial event would enable greater collaboration between the two countries’ defence industry. "Pakistan has a similar exhibition (The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar). This is another aspect where I hope both sides can collaborate and learn from each other," he said. On the Armed Forces Day, he said that it was celebrated annually on Sept 6 to commemorate the valiant role of Pakistan Armed Forces during the September 1965 war with India. According to reports, Pakistan lost 4,000 soldiers in the war. In his remarks at the event, Jawad paid tribute to those who lost their lives and highlighted the armed forces' achievement in eradication of terrorism in the country, especially after the Peshawar school attack which killed more than 150 and injured more than 120 in December last year. Among the guests at the event were Malaysian Armed Forces Chief Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia, Syed Hasan Raza, members of diplomatic corps and notable Pakistanis and Malaysians. -- BERNAMA