ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said Pakistan and Morocco will establish an institutional framework for permanent defense ties, paving the way for future cooperation in military training.
Asif is undertaking a two-day visit to Morocco from Jan. 12-14 to hold meetings with Morocco’s Minister of State for National Defense Administration Abdel Latif Loudayi. The visit comes as several Muslim nations have expressed interest in defense agreements with Pakistan following its performance in the brief conflict with India last year.
According to a social media post shared by Asif, Pakistan and Morocco are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance defense cooperation during his visit.
“Under the agreement, an institutional framework will be established for permanent defense links,” he announced in a post on Instagram.
“The MoU will also open new avenues for future collaboration across various defense and security sectors, including military training, exchange of experiences, capacity building, and other joint initiatives.”
Asif added that he would also lead delegation-level talks aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Pakistan and Morocco.
Pakistan and Morocco share longstanding friendly relations, with strong diplomatic, defense and economic ties reinforced by periodic high-level visits and bilateral agreements.
In April last year, the Pakistani and Moroccan armies launched the third edition of their joint bilateral military exercise to enhance professional skills of soldiers and strengthen defense ties.
In November 2024, Moroccan Air Force Inspector Major General Mohammed Gadih met Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to express interest in collaborating with the Pakistan Air Force in the aerospace sector.
