Common challenges push Morocco and Pakistan to develop security and intelligence cooperation

Continuing the path of strengthening international security cooperation and enhancing operational coordination with Morocco’s partner countries, Abdellatif Hamouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, received, on Wednesday, Muhammad Sami al-Rahman, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Morocco, where the two parties discussed ways to enhance security cooperation between the two countries. ; A security source said that these discussions reflect the involvement of Moroccan security institutions in activating bilateral and multilateral partnerships at this level.

For their part, interested parties noted that the nature of the common challenges facing the two countries, the convergence of their views regarding a number of regional and international issues, and their effective involvement in international efforts aimed at confronting the terrorist phenomenon, in addition to the geopolitical weight of Rabat and Islamabad in their regional surroundings, are all factors that push these two countries to… Strengthening and consolidating their bilateral relations and exchanging expertise, experiences and information, thus establishing a model security partnership that serves security and stability in the world.

Moroccan involvement and a model partnership

Al-Buraq Shadi Abdel Salam, an international expert in crisis management, conflict analysis and risk management, said, “This meeting falls within the framework of the full involvement of the General Directorate of National Security and the Directorate of National Territorial Surveillance in international efforts to consolidate security cooperation in its various forms, especially the fight against terrorism and associated activities.” He added, “Security and intelligence cooperation between Morocco and Pakistan constitutes one of the most important international axes supporting multilateral efforts to combat terrorism, extremist and separatist groups, and transnational criminal organizations.”

Al-Buraq explained, in a statement to Hespress, that “the Moroccan experience in the security and intelligence field is internationally acclaimed and based on the comprehensive national strategy to combat terrorism based on a clearly defined approach that relies on economic and human development, enhancing human capabilities, developing security awareness, raising the efficiency of the security services, and enhancing cooperation and coordination with various The actors make it the subject of high appreciation and great interest from various countries of the world that suffer from the phenomenon of terrorism.”

The same spokesman pointed out that “Morocco and Pakistan intersect on many regional and international issues, with their geopolitical, security and economic challenges.” The two countries are also involved in many international bodies and organizations interested in security cooperation and combating terrorism,” noting in this regard that “the two countries face common threats from extremist groups; Therefore, developing a joint strategy between them has today become a necessity to institutionalize security cooperation, develop strategic cooperation, exchange intelligence information, enhance joint capabilities in the field of cybersecurity, and bilateral cooperation in the field of protecting vital infrastructure and combating cyber attacks.”

He concluded that “the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries, based on ancient historical ties, are strengthened by the clear Pakistani position on the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as the distinct geopolitical situation of the two countries, are all indicators that confirm that strengthening all forms of cooperation between Rabat and Islamabad and working to develop a clearly defined road map for Developing this cooperation into a model partnership has become a strategic necessity imposed by many regional and international challenges.”

Common challenges and American strategy

Interacting with the same issue, Muhammad Shuqair, a researcher in security affairs, said in a statement to the electronic newspaper Hespress, “Strengthening bilateral security and intelligence cooperation between Rabat and Islamabad finds an explanation first in the nature of the common challenges facing both countries, which are linked to the expansion of the terrorist phenomenon and the spatial expansion of threats.” Terrorist organizations are no longer limited to one space or another.”

Choucair recorded, in a statement to Hespress, that “the two countries constitute two regional powers, key players in the international security equation, and members of the Islamic Coalition to Combat Terrorism.” Therefore, their situation makes them targeted by some terrorist groups,” he explained, explaining that “strengthening cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is not limited only to the security aspect, but also to the military aspect, through the participation of their regular armies in multinational maneuvers and the visits of a number of military officials in This country to Morocco is one of the best examples of promoting this cooperation.”

The same spokesman recorded that “the Moroccan security model and the trust and reputation it gained at the international level through a group of countries betting on cooperation with Moroccan security and intelligence institutions in order to confront extremism and terrorism or secure major demonstrations and events is also one of the factors that push Pakistan to “Intensifying and developing its security relationship with Rabat in order to exchange experiences and information and jointly and proactively confront threats extending in time and space.”

The researcher in security affairs stated that “the convergence of the two countries’ views towards a group of crises and issues in the world facilitates the development of security relations between them. In addition, Rabat and Islamabad are among the most important strategic allies for the United States of America as part of Washington’s strategy to combat terrorism.” Therefore, this factor also prompts the two countries to bet on strengthening their relations with a security dimension in order to strengthen the foundations of security and stability, whether in their regional or international surroundings.”