Tazeen Akhtar
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir are likely to visit Malaysia in May 2025. Both sides are working on the visit but the dates have not been finalized so far. Prime Minister Malaysia YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited Pakistan in Oct 2024. His visit paved the way to opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. Visit of PM Shehbaz will be in reciprocation to initiate the implementation of the agreements both sides reached earlier.
The High Commissioner of Malaysia, H.E Mohammad Azhar Mazlan shared this to a question by this scribe during iftar reception hosted by the H.C in connection with ASEAN Chairmanship of Malaysia for 2025. Pakistani media was invited to the reception to share the prospects of promotion of cooperation and Malaysian vision for ASEAN.
Malaysia Pakistan trade stands at $1.4 Billion that is not as per the potential found on both sides. High Commissioner shared that the sides are working on the increase of trade up to $5 Billion in 2030.
The two Prime Ministers discussed the mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation with a view to achieving concrete results. They stressed the importance of dialogue and exchanges of visits at all levels and underlined the importance of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), Bilateral Consultations and other mechanisms to enhance engagement at all levels.
On 20 March 2025, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan hosted an Iftar with members of the Pakistani media and esteemed guests. The event focused to promote and highlight Malaysia’s priorities and vision as the ASEAN Chair in 2025.
In his address, the High Commissioner extended warm greetings and best wishes, emphasizing the values of unity, reflection, and generosity that define Ramadan. He underscored Malaysia’s commitment to fostering stronger ties within the ASEAN community and beyond, particularly with Pakistan.
He highlighted that Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 is a pivotal moment as the region marks the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community. Under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Malaysia aims to strengthen ASEAN’s role as a people-centred, forward-looking, and resilient organization.
As challenges and opportunities arise, Malaysia is committed to ensuring ASEAN remains a strong and united community, dedicated to fostering regional peace, stability, and economic growth while promoting sustainability and inclusivity.
Pakistan and Malaysia Sign Four Key MoUs to Boost Trade Relations
Malaysia’s chairmanship will focus on enhancing ASEAN Centrality by promoting strategic trust, sustained dialogues, and diplomacy among nations. Expanding ASEAN’s global partnerships and boosting intra-ASEAN trade and investment with a focus on inclusive and sustainable regional growth will also be key objectives.
Digital resilience, green finance, and investment are integral to driving economic progress, along with narrowing development gaps and improving living standards while mitigating climate change impacts.
Malaysia also reaffirmed its commitment to expediting the admission of Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN, further strengthening regional unity.
About Pakistan’s full dialogue partner status, the High Commissioner said, presently there is a moratorium on the process but as soon as it is lifted, Malaysia will do his best to include Pakistan in this capacity.
The High Commissioner emphasized the vital role of media in fostering greater understanding and awareness of ASEAN’s vision, encouraging collaboration in highlighting ASEAN’s commitment to unity and progress.
Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 is not just about diplomacy—it is about building a shared future of peace, prosperity, and mutual respect. The High Commissioner invited media representatives to be partners in this journey.
Concluding his remarks, the High Commissioner expressed gratitude to the attendees, reaffirming Malaysia’s dedication to strengthening Malaysia-Pakistan relations and ASEAN’s collective growth. He wished all guests a blessed Ramadan, reiterating the spirit of friendship and cooperation.
During QnA session, the High Commissioner shared, ” Malaysia has declared 2026 as the year of tourism. In this year, we welcome Pakistanis including media persons to visit our country. Pakistanis can have their food as many Pakistani restaurants are present in our country. There is a street of Pakistani hotels in Kuala lumpur.”
H.E Azhar Mazlan looks forward to building a bridge between ASEAN Pakistan and Central Asia. He said, Malaysian products including edible oil and halal cosmetics can reach CARs through Pakistan. He said, Pakistan itself is a big market of halal cosmetics because half of the population of Pakistan consists of women who use cosmetics. He said , Malaysia is importing halal beef from Pakistan.
