RAWALPINDI: Pakistan and Somalia on Wednesday discussed measures to further strengthen bilateral defence and security cooperation as both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding military ties and addressing shared security challenges.
Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ambassador Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, who is leading a high-level delegation of Somalia, on Thursday called on Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security dynamics, and measures to further enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation were discussed, ISPR said.
Both sides underscored the importance of deepening military-to-military ties and capacity building initiatives to counter common security challenges, according to ISPR.
The Somalia Defence Minister appreciated Pakistan’s steadfast support and the professional role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace and stability.
Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Somalia in strengthening its security apparatus and fostering enduring peace in the region, ISPR added.
The high-level delegation of Somalia is on an official visit to Pakistan.
On Wednesday, the Somali delegation held separate meetings with the chiefs of the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force in Islamabad.
During the visit to Naval Headquarters, the Somali defence minister met Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
The two sides discussed matters of mutual professional interest, regional maritime security and ways to expand bilateral defence collaboration. Admiral Ashraf reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening defence ties with Somalia.
The delegation later called on Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu at Air Headquarters, where discussions focused on defence cooperation, professional collaboration and capacity building.
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The air chief highlighted the Pakistan Air Force’s indigenous capability development, training infrastructure and professional exchange programmes, reaffirming the PAF’s commitment to supporting institutional cooperation with the Somali Air Force.
The Somali defence minister appreciated the Pakistan Navy’s role in promoting regional maritime security and praised the Pakistan Air Force’s professionalism, operational capabilities and institutional development.
The meetings reflect the growing defence engagement between Pakistan and Somalia and both sides’ commitment to expanding cooperation in maritime security, military training and professional capacity building.
In January, Pakistan and Somalia agreed to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism, training, border management and disaster management during talks between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Somali counterpart, Ali Yusuf.
