ISLAMABAD: Acting President Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called for further consolidating bilateral ties with Malaysia for mutual benefit of two brotherly countries.

Pakistan and Malaysia, he said, enjoyed cordial cooperation at all international fora, which needed to be further strengthened. Talking to Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, who along with his delegation called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr where Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf also attended meeting, Gilani urged need to further explore avenues of cooperation in maritime sectors for mutual benefit of two brotherly countries. He expressed hope that training and exchange programmes between two navies would further cement naval cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia. He expressed satisfaction over regular conduct of bilateral naval exercises and training collaboration between Pakistan and Malaysia. He appreciated Royal Malaysian Navy for regular participation in AMAN exercises and emphasised need for continuity of same in future.

Earlier, acting President conferred award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) upon Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob during special investiture ceremony. Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman bin Ayob thanked acting President for conferring upon him award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military).