{"id":68478,"date":"2026-09-16T20:40:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T20:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=68478"},"modified":"2026-09-16T21:21:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T21:21:43","slug":"malaysian-target-of-welcoming-150-thousand-tourists-from-pakistan-is-hard-to-achieve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/malaysian-target-of-welcoming-150-thousand-tourists-from-pakistan-is-hard-to-achieve\/","title":{"rendered":"Malaysian Target of Welcoming 150 Thousand Tourists from Pakistan is Hard to Achieve"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Malaysian Cuisine is Attraction as Pakistanis are Exploring Tasty Food always but the Circumstances at Both sides are not Favorable !<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Important Takeaways at the Advent of “Visit Malaysia Tourism and Gastronomy Festival” in Islamabad !<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Malaysia is expecting 150 thousand tourists from Pakistan this year. Tourism promotion efforts have scaled up through joint initiatives focusing on eco-tourism, family travel, and cultural exchanges but the way is not as paved as is required to achieve this ambitious target.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Pakistanis are avoiding the destinations that are in Red List of the LeAs that have simultaneously clamped down on travelers misusing visit visas for unauthorized employment abroad.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has stepped up efforts to curb illegal migration, offloading numerous passengers bound for Malaysia on tourist visas intended for illegal work.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the other side, even the Malaysian authorities are intensifying crackdowns , detaining undocumented Pakistani nationals during nationwide immigration raids. Malaysia enforces strict immigration policies, frequently targeting construction sites, commercial hubs, and enclaves where undocumented migrants reside or work.<\/p>\n

Recent large-scale multi-agency operations by the Malaysian Immigration Department have led to hundreds of arrests, including Pakistani citizens caught without valid travel documents, overstaying visas, or misusing social visit passes for employment.<\/p>\n

Undocumented migrants in Malaysia face severe penalties, including detention in immigration depots and eventual deportation. However, Malaysia’s extended Migrant Repatriation Program allows undocumented individuals to return home voluntarily after paying subsidized fines rather than facing prosecution.<\/p>\n

At Senate of Pakistan , the Standing Committee on Overseas, in Feb 2026, was informed that approximately 100,000 Pakistanis reside in Malaysia, with an estimated 30,000 undocumented. A recruitment ban imposed since August 2024 has adversely affected job placements. The Committee was apprised of existing MOUs, including social security arrangements and a proposed prisoner transfer agreement.<\/p>\n

Conclusion : The target of welcoming a number of Pakistani tourists that is almost equal to the number of resident Pakistanis does not look wisely fixed. Moreover the situation mentioned above also mitigates the chances of any influx of Pakistani tourists to Malaysia.<\/p>\n

Other than above mentioned reasons, the cost of the tour to Malaysia is more than double of the cost for Uzbekistan or Azerbaijan that two most emerging tourist destinations for Pakistani tourists. Direct flights are available and there are many choices in the packages provided by a large number of tour operators.<\/p>\n

Malaysian Cuisine ?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pakistanis do not know anything about Malaysian cuisine but if they reach there , the famous Malaysian cuisine have the taste to capture their hearts as Pakistanis’ hearts are won passing through their stomach filled with mouth watering dishes. Malaysian cuisine blends Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavors into a rich mix of spicy rice dishes, savory noodles, and sweet treats.<\/p>\n

\"\"Main Dishes<\/strong><\/span> | Laksa:<\/strong> A popular spicy noodle soup with regional variations like the sour, tamarind-based Asam Laksa in Penang and the creamy, coconut-milk-based Curry Laksa.
\nNasi Lemak:<\/strong> Malaysia’s national dish features rice cooked in rich coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with spicy chili paste (sambal), crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts, a boiled egg, and cucumber slices.
\nChar Kway Teow:<\/strong> Flat rice noodles stir-fried over high heat in a wok with soy sauce, shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts, and Chinese sausage to create a smoky flavor.
\nRoti Canai:<\/strong> A thin, flaky, and crispy flatbread of Indian Muslim origin, served hot with a side of lentil curry (dahl) or meat gravy.
\nBeef Rendang:<\/strong> A tender, slow-cooked meat stew simmered in coconut milk and a thick paste of aromatic spices until dark and rich.<\/p>\n

Snacks and Desserts<\/strong><\/span> | Satay<\/strong>: Skewers of marinated chicken or beef grilled over an open flame and served with a sweet and spicy peanut dipping sauce.
\nApam Balik<\/strong>: A sweet, fluffy turnover pancake filled with crushed peanuts, sugar, and sometimes sweet corn.
\nCendol<\/strong>: A refreshing dessert made with shaved ice, green rice flour jelly noodles, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup.<\/p>\n

Popular Drinks<\/strong><\/span> | Teh Tarik<\/strong>: A hot, frothy black milk tea mixed with condensed milk, poured back and forth between two cups to cool and aerate it<\/p>\n

Trade – in Malaysian Favor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bilateral trade stands at approximately $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion annually, anchored by the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) which has been active since 2008. Pakistan consistently runs a trade deficit with Malaysia, as imports heavily skew toward edible oils while Pakistan’s exports focus on agricultural and textile items.<\/p>\n

EMGS Study in Malaysia Education Fair 2026 Draws Strong Response from Pakistani Students in Islamabad<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n