Pak, Iraq agree on intelligence, info sharing on terrorism

Pakistan and Iraq on Monday agreed on comprehensive intelligence and information sharing mechanism on terrorism.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Head of Iraqi Navy Major General Ahmed Jasim Maarij, said a press release.

The federal defence minister also offered the services of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for the development of Information Technology infrastructure for Iraqi Air Force as well as assistance in establishing a quality control programme on the pattern of Pakistan Air Force.

They also discussed areas of mutual interest and cooperation in the field of defence. The minister also offered Iraqi armed forces personnel to avail training courses in Pakistan armed forces training institutions.

Khawaja Asif suggested port calls and passing exercise (PASSEXs) between the two navies in order to enhance interoperability.

He emphasised the need of “On Job Training Programme” in the field of hydrography and employment of Pakistan Navy survey officers for establishing Hydrographic set up in Iraq.

Both sides shared the importance of reciprocal visits by delegations from armed forces personnel’s, especially for training while logistic establishments and defence products organisations may be planned to explore new avenues of mutual cooperation and collaboration.