Pakistan Navy committed to closer ties with Royal Malaysian Navy

LUMUT: The Navy of Pakistan is prepared to cooperate with the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

The High Commissioner of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Malaysia, Mohammad Nafees Zakari said cordial relations between navy of his country and RMN had long been established and would continue to expand.

“This close relation has benefited both countries in ensuring the navy forces are more efficient with the sharing of ideas and skills.

“In fact in March, we also participated in the MalaysiaPakistan (Malpak) exercise for the first time to raise the effectiveness of the forces and promote better military ties between the two countries,” he said.

He told Bernama after welcoming the arrival of a Pakistan warship docked at RMN base here yesterday.

The battle ship, ‘Saif’ carrying more than 300 crew members berthed at about 8.30am and was expected to be in Malaysia for three days before continuing its journey home to Pakistan after sailing more than 70 days to several countries such as Philippines, Sri Lanka and China.

Meanwhile RMN West Armada Headquarters operation staff assistant head Captain Azman Rabani said the visit by the ship proved the close relations between the two countries in supporting each other.

In fact, Azman said the joint military exercise through Malpak this year had improved relations and paved the way for the change of ideas between the two forces.

“This is a good sign and Malpak has become the latest platform for both countries to strengthen defence of their respective waters,” he said. — Bernama