Pakistan Navy chief visits Malaysia to deepen maritime security cooperation

• Admiral Naveed Ashraf holds high-level talks with Royal Malaysian Navy leadership, calling for stronger hydrographic cooperation between NHC and Pakistan’s NHO
• CNS highlights Pakistan Navy’s role in RMSP and Combined Maritime Forces, aligning strategic outlooks amid evolving maritime challenges

ISLAMABAD: Underscoring Pakistan Navy’s commitment to cooperative maritime security and proactive naval diplomacy, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf paid an official visit to Malaysia and held high-level engagements with the leadership of the Royal Malaysian Navy, according to the military’s media wing on Sunday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “The visit began at the Royal Malaysian Navy Headquarters, where Admiral Naveed Ashraf was received by the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri (Dr.) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, and was accorded a Guard of Honour, reflecting the strong professional ties between the two services.”

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 08 February, 2026

Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI (M), T Bt, Chief of the Naval Staff, #Pakistan Navy paid an official visit to #Malaysia and called on the leadership of the Royal Malaysian Navy. He was received at Royal Malaysian Navy Headquarters by Admiral Tan… pic.twitter.com/6kSYHrhHS6

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 8, 2026

During the engagement, the two naval chiefs exchanged views on aligning strategic outlooks amid an increasingly complex and evolving maritime security environment. Both sides reviewed avenues for enhanced operational collaboration, capacity building, and coordinated responses to emerging maritime challenges. Admiral Naveed Ashraf highlighted Pakistan Navy’s active contribution to regional stability through sustained Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) and its consistent participation in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), reinforcing Pakistan’s role as a responsible and dependable maritime stakeholder, the ISPR said.

As part of the visit, the Chief of the Naval Staff also called on Malaysia’s National Hydrographic Centre (NHC), where he was briefed on its technical capabilities and its role in promoting maritime safety. Stressing hydrography as a critical foundation of effective naval operations, Admiral Naveed Ashraf advocated deeper institutional linkages between Malaysia’s NHC and Pakistan’s National Hydrographic Office (NHO), particularly in the areas of specialised training, data sharing, and professional collaboration.

Anchored in a legacy of shared values and enduring friendship, Pakistan–Malaysia naval relations continue to advance in line with contemporary maritime realities. The visit by the Chief of the Naval Staff marks another significant step towards a more integrated, cooperative, and future-oriented partnership between the two navies.