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ISLAMABAD: Senior generals from Pakistan and Malaysia on Wednesday vowed to strengthen military-to-military ties in the light of evolving regional and global situation, Pakistan’s military media wing said in a statement.

Pakistan and Malaysia have historically enjoyed close ties ever since they established diplomatic ties in 1957. Both countries have strengthened cooperation in various sectors such as defense, trade, economy, manpower exports and education over the years. 

The discussions took place while Malaysia’s chief of defense forces, General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar, visited the Joint Staff Headquarters in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi city. There he met General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Pakistan’s chairman joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC) and held discussions on the evolving global and regional security environment. 

“Both sides held comprehensive discussions on the evolving global and regional security environment and underscored the importance of exploring new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation in defense and security domains,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistani military’s media wing, said. 

“Both military leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the military-to-military relationship in the light of evolving regional security dynamics.”

Gen. Jaffar praised the professional standards of Pakistan’s armed forces and hailed their achievements in the fight against militancy, the ISPR said. 

Pakistan has sought to bolster its military ties with allies as regional tensions flare. The South Asian country earlier this month signed a landmark defense pact with ��������, according to which an attack on one country will be considered an attack on both. 

The defense pact took place at a time of extreme volatility in the Middle East, where prolonged conflicts have heightened fears of wider instability, reinforcing the urgency Gulf states place on stronger security and defense partnerships.

It also happened as Pakistan’s tensions with India remain high, months after Islamabad reached a fragile ceasefire with its nuclear-armed neighbor after days of intense fighting in May that killed over 70 in both countries.

DUBAI: Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has declared that his team will reach the Asia Cup final and can beat India if the arch-rivals clash again.

Pakistan kept their campaign alive with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

India and Pakistan have met twice in this edition of the regional competition but the neighbors have never played against each other in an Asia Cup final.

The regional tournament, played this time in the United Arab Emirates under the Twenty20 format, started in 1984 and this is its 17th edition.

Bangladesh, who face India on Wednesday and Pakistan on Thursday, stand in the way of the great rivals facing off in Sunday’s decider in Dubai.

India are holders and beat Pakistan in both previous matches, but Shaheen was in bullish mood after taking 3-28 against Sri Lanka.

“They have still not reached the final, when they do, then we will see them,” said Shaheen of India.

“We are here to win the cup, whichever team comes in the final we are ready to beat them.”

If both teams reach the final, India will once again start as strong favorites having won 12 of 15 T20Is between the two countries.

India have also won the last seven internationals against Pakistan since September 2022, four T20Is and three one-day internationals.

That sequence prompted India skipper Suryakumar Yadav to declare India-Pakistan “is not a rivalry anymore.”

In both wins for India in the UAE there were no handshakes, adding another layer to an already intense rivalry.

“It is his opinion that, let him say that,” said Shaheen of Suryakumar’s cutting comments.

“When they reach the final then will see. Our job is to win the Asia Cup, and we will make a complete effort to do that.”