Report Tazeen Akhtar with Camera Raja Ghulam Farid
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay a historic visit to Malaysia in October this year. The visit is due in connection with the understanding developed in high level contacts and work on both sides during last several months after the visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia , Anwer Ibrahim to Islamabad in Oct 2024. So it will be one year since Malaysian leader visited Pakistan.
This was shared by Minister of State for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kayani at the celebrations event on the 68th Independence Day of Malaysia in Islamabad. Earlier the month for PM Shehbaz’ visit was made public in the meeting of FM Ishaq Dar with PM Malaysia in Kuala Lumpor in July this year.
Mr. and Mrs. H.E Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan hosted a grand reception at Serena Hotels Islamabad to share the joy and happiness of the auspicious occasion with Internationa community including ASEAN colleagues and Pakistani friends on 03 Sep 2025.
The Minister and High Commissioner both spoke highly about the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Minister said , the visit will prove to be a milestone in further strengthening mutual economic and trade relations. H.E Mazlan said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will visit Malaysia in October coming month and the relations between the two will be further strengthened after this visit.
High Commissioner H.E Dato’ Azhar Mazlan, in his welcome address shed light on the history and importance of the National Day. He said , the day gives the Malaysian people the determination and courage to play a due role in the development and progress of their country.
“Our journey of independence began 68 years ago on this day in 1957 and Pakistan was the first country to recognize Malaysia after independence and the relations between the two countries have always been deep and strong. Malaysia first opened its embassy in Karachi in 1957, which was later shifted to Islamabad, the High Commissioner mentioned.
H.E Azhar Mazlan always apprecites Pakistani immigrants in Malaysia for playing a vital role in the Malaysian economy, acting as a bridge between the two countries. He did not forget them here too and admired them for enhancing close and cordial relations and understanding.
Minister in his address, extended heartily congratulations to people and government of Malaysia on their independence day. He said , “Pakistan and Malaysia are bound by historical, religious and cultural ties, which are rooted in history and the people of both have deep love and faith in each other. There are deep ties between the top leadership of the two countries.”
He said that today is a day of renewal of the commitment between the two countries, and that on the occasion of Malaysia’s independence, both countries will further strengthen their relations in the future.
Minister said , Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia are playing a vital role in the Malaysian economy and our skilled labor and engineers are fulfilling the need for Malaysia’s human resources capital. He offered more man power from Pakistan if Malaysia needed.
Australian and British High Commissioners also attended the event. Senior civil and military officials, businessmen community, Malaysian diaspora in Pakistan, Civil society representatives and media persons were also present in large number.
BACKGROUNDER ! Pakistan Malaysia Agreements in PM Ibrahim’s Visit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in their dialogue in Oct 2024, had reaffirmed Malaysia-Pakistan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) signed on 8 November 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. They agreed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, enhance trade, remove barriers in key sectors, provide level playing field, and address the trade imbalance. They agreed to early Joint Review Committee meeting for a comprehensive evaluation of the MPCEPA with the view to further strengthening the bilateral economic partnership.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in processing of halal products. The Pakistan side offered to increase export of halal meat to Malaysia to meet their demand. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif gave proposal of increasing export of Halal meat from Pakistan to Malaysia to 200 Million USD per annum.
The two sides reaffirmed their strategic partnership and the importance of bilateral defence exchanges rooted in the MoU on Defense Cooperation signed on 1st August 1997; and appreciated the decisions taken at the 14th Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation (JCDC) held in November 2023 in Islamabad.
Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, witnessed the signing of four significant MoUs between Pakistan and the Malaysian business community in Islamabad.Fauji Meat Limited and NSK signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a profit-sharing partnership in the distribution, wholesale, and retail of meat. Gobi VC Investment Fund committed $300,000 to Qistbazar and announced plans to raise a $50 million fund to support Pakistani startups.SNA Equity invested $5 million in Gamalux Pakistan, with a total investment goal of $15 million by 2026. Additionally, Pakistan and Malaysia’s Business Councils signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in halal trade.
” The Time is Ripe” – Malaysian Prime Minister for Exploring Untapped Trade Potential with Pakistan
