Pakistan, Malaysia Reaffirm Defence Ties as Harimau Markhor-IV Concludes
Pakistan and Malaysia on Thursday renewed their pledge to strengthen Pakistan Malaysia defence ties as the fourth edition of their joint counter-terrorism exercise, Harimau Markhor-IV, concluded at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi, Nowshera district.
The two-week exercise brought troops from both armies together. They shared counter-terrorism experience, refined operational drills and procedures, and sharpened combat skills through an exchange of best practices, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Harimau Markhor-IV wraps up at NCTC Pabbi
The exercise was the fourth round of the bilateral counter-terrorism series between the Pakistan Army and the Malaysian Armed Forces. Soldiers from both sides trained side by side on drills drawn from real counter-terrorism operations.
ISPR said the exercise reflected the longstanding military cooperation between the two countries and their shared resolve to strengthen collaboration against terrorism.
Pakistan Malaysia defence ties reviewed at 16th JCDC meeting
In a separate development, the 16th Pakistan-Malaysia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) met at the Malaysian Ministry of Defence. Defence Secretary Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Ali led the Pakistani delegation, while Deputy Secretary General (policy) Mohd Yani bin Daud headed the Malaysian side.
Both sides reviewed the progress made since the previous JCDC meeting in 2025. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral defence and security cooperation and agreed to keep the engagement going through regular meetings.
A partnership rooted in 1957, with trade alongside defence
The relationship between the two countries goes back to 1957, the year Malaysia gained independence. Pakistan was among the earliest countries to recognise the new state and helped draft its constitution.
Last year, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Malaysia, the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, trade and emerging technologies. Kuala Lumpur also agreed to import $200 million worth of meat from Pakistan, giving the partnership a clear economic side.
The two countries are bound by the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in 2007. The agreement covers trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, healthcare, telecommunications, tourism and construction.
Part of a wider web of defence partnerships
Pakistan’s defence engagements stretch well beyond Kuala Lumpur. Islamabad has also concluded a joint defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, while rapid force deployment plans under the Makkah Pact mapped out the country’s security commitments around Riyadh, and Turkiye’s rise as a defence exporter has deepened the military-industrial side of that relationship. At home, Defence Day 2026 celebrations marked the military’s yearly public outreach. The $200 million meat import deal with Malaysia shows the same pattern on the economic front: defence cooperation moving in step with trade.
What was Harimau Markhor-IV?
A two-week joint counter-terrorism exercise between the Pakistan Army and the Malaysian Armed Forces. It was the fourth edition of the bilateral series.
Where was the exercise held?
At the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi, Nowshera district.
What is the Pakistan-Malaysia JCDC?
The Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation is the main bilateral forum for defence ties between the two countries. Its 16th meeting was held at the Malaysian Ministry of Defence.
When did Pakistan-Malaysia relations begin?
The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1957, when Malaysia gained independence. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise it.
