PM Shehbaz Hails New Era of Pakistan-Malaysia Cooperation

Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his official visit to Kuala Lumpur, reaffirmed the strong and time-tested relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia, calling it a bond built on mutual trust, shared values, and brotherhood. Speaking at a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Shehbaz expressed his admiration for the Malaysian people and leadership, saying that Malaysia felt like a second home due to the warmth and hospitality extended by its citizens.

Shehbaz Sharif praised Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and efforts in transforming Malaysia into a developed nation and emphasized that both countries are now working together on joint projects aimed at boosting trade and investment. He highlighted the presence of a large number of Pakistani students in Malaysia and expressed the desire to deepen collaboration in education and knowledge-sharing. He also welcomed Malaysia’s decision to import $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan, calling it a step toward broader trade cooperation in the halal industry.

During the high-level meeting, the two leaders discussed expanding bilateral ties in various sectors including trade, education, information technology, and the halal economy. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to formalize cooperation, including agreements on anti-corruption efforts and promoting bilateral trade. Prime Minister Shehbaz also attended the launch of the Urdu translation of Anwar Ibrahim’s book Script, describing it as a symbolic gesture to strengthen cultural and intellectual ties between the two nations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warmly referred to Shehbaz Sharif as his “brother” and expressed his strong interest in developing deeper collaboration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. He noted that Pakistan once led the Muslim world in these domains and continues to hold significant potential. He commended the contribution of Pakistani students and professionals in Malaysia and confirmed that Malaysia has increased rice imports from Pakistan and is exploring further imports of halal meat.

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Both leaders voiced strong support for Palestine, vowing to raise a united stance against the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and to back international efforts for peace. Anwar Ibrahim lauded Pakistan’s consistent and clear position on the Palestinian issue and reaffirmed Malaysia’s solidarity with the people of Gaza. The Malaysian leader also emphasized that peace between Pakistan and India is essential for regional stability and reiterated Malaysia’s willingness to collaborate on counterterrorism initiatives.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was welcomed with a guard of honour at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office, Perdana Putra, where the national anthems of both countries were played. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.

The Foreign Office of Pakistan stated that the visit focused on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, the digital economy, and people-to-people exchanges. Describing the trip as a reflection of the deep-rooted partnership between the two countries, the FO noted that the visit signifies a shared vision for economic development and regional peace. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, before concluding his visit, said the engagements had laid the foundation for a new chapter in Pakistan-Malaysia relations and expressed hope that joint initiatives would lead to mutual prosperity and growth. Bilateral investment between the two countries reached $397 million earlier this year, reflecting the strength of their economic ties.