LAHORE (PR): Two-day long 12th meeting of Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) concluded at Ministry of Defence on Tuesday. Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak, Secretary Defence led the Pakistani delegation whereas Malaysian delegation was headed by Dato Sri Dr.Haji Ismail Ahmad bin Haji Ahmad, Secretary General, Ministry of Defence.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Defence Lieutenant General (retd.) Alam Khattak said that Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices to wipe menaces of terrorism and extremism from the region and suffered great lives and financial loses in this regard. He said that Pakistani armed forces are still conducting an operation termed Zarb-e-Azb to cleanse terrorism.

“It is an across the board operation which is targeting all terror groups. He added that Pakistan has a very important place in the region and the Pakistani Armed Forces are playing a key role in stopping the spillover of war in Afghanistan. We are the affectees of terrorism yet, not only fighting it, but protecting the region.”  He termed Pakistan as “the fulcrum of security for South Asia.”

Later, Malaysian side apprised the Pakistani participants on Malaysian Military Commitments in Afghanistan and Lebanon. Both sides agreed to collaborate in the fields of training, bilateral visits, participation in military exercises and defence products. Co-Chairmen emphasized that the military cooperation should be result oriented and agreed to monitor progress on bi-annual basis. The Sub-Committees reviewed the progress of their last meetings held in September 2013 in Malaysia and deliberated on promoting defence cooperation in the areas of mutual interest besides discussing fresh issues proposed by each side. It was mutually decided by Secretary Defence and Malaysian Secretary General that next Round of JCDC will be convened in Malaysia in 2015-16.

On the sidelines of 12th round, the visiting Malaysian Secretary General held meetings with, Secretary Defence and Secretary Defence Production. Issues of mutual interest were discussed to promote bilateral defence relations.

The Malaysian delegation also visited Defence Production facilities. i.e. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, Pakistan Ordinance Factories, Wah and Heavy Industries, Taxila and showed keen interest in defence equipment produced in these Units.

Forum of JCDC was established in 1997 for promoting defence collaboration between Pakistan and Malaysia. Its 11th Round was held in Malaysia in September 2013. Under the umbrella of JCDC, two Sub-Committees are formed, namely (a) Joint Committee on Defence, Science, Technology and Industrial Cooperation under Ministry of Defence Production and (b) Sub-Committee on Military Cooperation under Joint Staff Headquarters.

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