PM Sharif Lauds Malaysia’s Hospitality, Pledges Stronger Ties

During his ongoing official visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended Malaysia for its gracious hospitality and reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening its relationship with the Southeast Asian nation.

At a joint press briefing held at the Perdana Putra Complex, the office of the Malaysian Prime Minister, alongside his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, both leaders underscored their commitment to enhancing mutual cooperation in areas such as commerce, education, and the pursuit of regional stability.

“Our bonds have grown stronger with time, and I express my gratitude to the people of Malaysia for their sincere welcome,” remarked Prime Minister Shehbaz. “Malaysia feels like a second home to us.”

Upon arriving at the official reception venue for his three-day visit, the Prime Minister was greeted with a guard of honour and a warm reception from PM Ibrahim.

The national anthems of both Pakistan and Malaysia were played as the two leaders stood on the dais.

Subsequently, both leaders introduced their respective delegations before engaging in a one-on-one meeting and delegation-level discussions. These talks aimed to assess the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Malaysia and identify fresh avenues for partnership across diverse sectors.

During the press conference, PM Shehbaz acknowledged PM Ibrahim’s pivotal contribution to Malaysia’s advancement, recognising him as an exceptional leader. “Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan was memorable, marked by highly productive discussions,” Shehbaz added.

Regarding bilateral commerce, the Prime Minister welcomed Malaysia’s choice to import $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan. “We intend to progressively increase our halal meat trade,” he stated, while also expressing interest in joint ventures and partnerships to leverage Malaysia’s expertise.

PM Shehbaz further mentioned the considerable number of Pakistani students presently pursuing studies in Malaysia and conveyed his appreciation for the opportunities extended to them.

Speaking alongside him, Malaysian PM Ibrahim highlighted the significance of peaceful relations between Pakistan and India for the sake of regional stability. “Peace between Pakistan and India is crucial for our region,” he affirmed.

He also assured that Malaysia would provide all possible assistance in the fight against terrorism.

In a symbolic gesture, Shehbaz Sharif applauded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recently released book, stating, “This book will serve as a connection between Islamabad and Kuala Lumpur.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz concluded that this visit would further fortify the ties between the two friendly nations.

PM Shehbaz and PM Ibrahim are scheduled to explore prospects for enhanced collaboration in sectors such as trade, IT & telecom, the Halal industry, investment, education, energy, infrastructure, the digital economy, and interpersonal connections.

The two leaders are also expected to witness the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding that will promote cooperation in both existing and emerging sectors.

The Prime Minister’s delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi. He is visiting Malaysia at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart.

Upon his arrival at Bunga Raya International Airport on Sunday night, he was received by Malaysian Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, and other diplomatic personnel.

Before his departure on Sunday, the Prime Minister conveyed his anticipation for an in-depth exchange of ideas with his Malaysian counterpart, highlighting both countries’ shared commitment to strengthening trade and economic cooperation.

“I will be undertaking an official visit to Malaysia [from] October 5-7 on the invitation of my dear brother, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Greatly looking forward to a comprehensive exchange of views on our common desire to enhance trade and economic engagement as well as bilateral cooperation in various fields,” PM Shehbaz shared on social media before his flight.

He also added that important global and regional issues would be addressed during the visit.