Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has begun a three-day official visit to Islamabad to strengthen the strategic partnership between Malaysia and Pakistan. He was welcomed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the airbase, and discussions will encompass trade, energy, and regional issues, alongside the signing of key agreements.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia has arrived in Islamabad for an official three-day visit designated to revitalize the strategic partnership between Malaysia and Pakistan. His arrival was marked by a reception from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Nur Khan Airbase. Accompanying the Malaysian Prime Minister is a high-ranking delegation, which includes notable figures such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hassan, Minister of International Trade and Industry Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Haji Hasbi Bin Haji Habibollah, and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Senator Dr Zulkifli bin Hasan. Earlier in the day, the Malaysian Foreign Minister conducted preparatory discussions with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. A formal meeting between the two Prime Ministers is scheduled for Thursday, where they will assess their current cooperative endeavors and seek new avenues to enhance bilateral relations. The agenda is set to include topics such as trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, the halal industry, tourism, cultural exchanges, and strengthening community ties. Since 2019, Malaysia and Pakistan have maintained a strategic partnership. Additionally, the leaders intend to discuss critical regional and international concerns, primarily focusing on the Palestine conflict, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and the changing dynamics in the Middle East. Following their discussions, they will formalize two key agreements: a memorandum of understanding between Matrade and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, as well as a letter of cooperation between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). In a culturally significant ceremony, three translated works by Allama Muhammad Iqbal—originally in Persian, Urdu, and English—will be launched in Bahasa Melayu. Furthermore, Prime Minister Anwar is slated to deliver a lecture at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), where he will receive an honorary doctorate in philosophy. An important part of the visit will also be a meeting with former President Asif Ali Zardari, who will present Prime Minister Anwar with Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, Nishan-i-Pakistan. Trade figures indicate a total exchange of $1.4 billion between Malaysia and Pakistan in 2023, representing a decline of 18 percent from $1.78 billion in 2022. The Foreign Office has remarked that this significant visit affords a remarkable opportunity to bolster relations between the two nations.
The official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Pakistan signifies a renewed commitment to enhancing diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. Established in 2019, the strategic partnership has evolved over the years, emphasizing cooperation in various fields including trade, culture, and regional stability. Recent trade statistics indicate a decline, prompting this visit as a means to reinvigorate bilateral relations and explore new opportunities for collaboration. In addition to economic discussions, the engagement reflects a mutual interest in addressing regional issues collaboratively.
The visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim marks a crucial step in strengthening the ties between Malaysia and Pakistan. Set against the backdrop of recent trade declines, this initiative aims to foster deeper cooperation across multiple sectors and explore new avenues for partnership. The scheduled discussions and agreements expected to be signed during the visit, along with cultural exchanges, underline the commitment to reinforcing the historical bilateral relations forward.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
