CDF Munir discusses enhancement of defence, security cooperation with Somalia: ISPR

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir discussed the enhancement of bilateral defence and security cooperation with Somalia in a meeting with the country’s defence minister, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

According to a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a high-level defence delegation from Somalia called on the CDF at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The delegation was led by Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, the ISPR said.

CDF Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “supporting Somalia in strengthening its security apparatus and fostering enduring peace in the region”, the statement added.

During the meeting, “matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, and measures to further enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation were discussed”, it said, adding that both sides underscored the importance of “deepening military-to-military ties and capacity building initiatives to counter common security challenges”.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s steadfast support and the professional role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace and stability, the ISPR said.

The previous day, the naval and air force chiefs reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence ties with Somalia and supporting institutional cooperation with its air force in separate meetings with the Somali delegation, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

At the meeting at Naval Headquarters with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the leaders discussed “key matters of mutual professional interest, regional maritime security and bilateral defence collaboration”, according to the statement. The naval chief reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening defence ties with Somalia.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters, discussions focused on bilateral defence cooperation, professional collaboration and capacity building, the statement said.

The Somali defence minister lauded the Pakistan Navy’s contributions to regional maritime security, alongside PAF’s professionalism and operational capabilities.

Pakis­tan and Somalia agreed in January to strengthen collaboration in training, border management, disaster management and the adoption of a joint strategy against terrorism to deepen cooperation in internal security.

The agreement was reached as Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met a high-level Somali delegation led by Somalia’s Interior Minister Ali Yusuf at the Ministry of Interior.