Pakistan and Malaysia Agree to Deepen Cooperation Across Key Sectors

Putrajaya, The Gulf Observer: Pakistan and Malaysia on Monday expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in their bilateral cooperation and agreed to continue working together to explore new avenues of collaboration, including investments and joint ventures across multiple sectors.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in information technology and telecommunications, the halal industry, automotive manufacturing, connectivity, green energy, electrical and electronic industries, tourism, higher education, climate change, and agriculture.

Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Shehbaz was accorded an official welcome ceremony, followed by a restricted meeting with Prime Minister Anwar and delegation-level talks between the two sides.

The Pakistani leader, currently on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

During what both sides described as a “highly constructive and fruitful” meeting, the two prime ministers reviewed the progress made since Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan in October 2024 and expressed satisfaction with the strengthening trajectory of bilateral ties.

They agreed to further expand economic and trade cooperation, with an emphasis on enhancing the halal meat export quota from Pakistan to Malaysia to USD 200 million. Both leaders also welcomed the increase in rice exports from Pakistan to Malaysia, noting that they had surpassed the previous quota.

Discussions also covered major regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East. Prime Minister Anwar praised Pakistan’s constructive role in supporting peace efforts in Palestine.

Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, particularly within the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to address shared challenges facing the Islamic world. He also reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s consistent support for a peaceful settlement in line with UN resolutions.

The two leaders also explored ways to strengthen Pakistan–ASEAN engagement. Congratulating Malaysia on assuming the Chair of ASEAN, Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked Prime Minister Anwar for reaffirming Malaysia’s support for Pakistan’s bid to become a Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.

Following the talks, both leaders witnessed the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering cooperation in the training of diplomats, tourism, halal certification, higher education, anti-corruption efforts, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

On this occasion, the prime ministers jointly launched the Urdu translation of Anwar Ibrahim’s seminal book “SCRIPT,” which encapsulates his vision and values on leadership.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later hosted a special luncheon in honor of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation, marking a reaffirmation of the historic and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Malaysia.