Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation with Somalia during a meeting with the visiting Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The high-level meeting took place at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where the Somali delegation held detailed discussions with Pakistan’s military leadership on issues of mutual interest, regional security, and expanding bilateral defence cooperation.
According to the ISPR, both sides reviewed the evolving regional security environment and explored measures to deepen military-to-military relations. Discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation in capacity building, professional military training, and coordinated efforts to address shared security challenges, including terrorism. Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to support Somalia in strengthening its security institutions and promoting lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. The two sides underscored the importance of sustained defence engagement and institutional collaboration as a means to enhance regional security.
The Somali defence minister appreciated Pakistan’s continued support and praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. He acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and expressed confidence in expanding defence ties between the two countries. The meeting forms part of a broader engagement between the visiting Somali delegation and Pakistan’s military leadership. A day earlier, the delegation met Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu in separate meetings.
During discussions at Naval Headquarters, both sides reviewed regional maritime security, naval cooperation, and avenues for expanding defence collaboration. Admiral Ashraf reaffirmed Pakistan Navy’s commitment to strengthening institutional ties with Somalia. At Air Headquarters, talks focused on bilateral defence cooperation, professional collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives. The Somali defence minister commended the Pakistan Air Force’s operational capabilities and its high professional standards.
Pakistan and Somalia have steadily expanded security cooperation in recent years. In January, both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in internal security through enhanced training, border management, disaster response, and a joint strategy to combat terrorism. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Somalia’s Interior Minister Ali Yusuf.
The latest high-level military engagements reflect Islamabad’s broader effort to strengthen defence partnerships with African nations while supporting regional stability through training, institutional cooperation, and enhanced military diplomacy.
