Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has begun a three-day official visit to Islamabad to strengthen bilateral relations with Pakistan. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, engaging in discussions covering trade, cultural exchange, and regional issues, including the Palestinian conflict. The visit will include significant agreements and honors, aimed at revitalizing cooperation between the two countries amidst declining trade figures.
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit, which aims to reinvigorate and enhance the bilateral strategic partnership between Malaysia and Pakistan. Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, he was welcomed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Accompanying Prime Minister Anwar is a high-level delegation featuring prominent officials, including 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. Prior to the Prime Minister’s arrival, Foreign Minister Mohammad engaged in preparatory discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. A formal meeting between the two Prime Ministers is scheduled for Thursday, where they will assess the current state of cooperation and seek new avenues to bolster bilateral relations. The discussions are expected to cover several key areas, including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, the halal industry, tourism, cultural exchanges, and strengthening people-to-people ties. Malaysia and Pakistan have upheld their strategic partnership since 2019. The discussions will also encompass perspectives on regional and international concerns of mutual significance, particularly issues relating to the Palestine conflict, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and the evolving conditions in the Middle East. Following their meeting, the leaders are anticipated to witness the signing of two crucial documents: a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Matrade and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, alongside a letter of cooperation between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Furthermore, during this official visit, three translated works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal—originally in Persian, Urdu, and English—will be launched in Bahasa Melayu. Prime Minister Anwar will also address students at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), where he is to be conferred an honorary doctorate in philosophy. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari, who will present him with Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-i-Pakistan. In 2023, trade relations between Malaysia and Pakistan amounted to $1.4 billion, which marks an 18 percent decline compared to the $1.78 billion recorded in 2022. The Foreign Office emphasized that the Malaysian Prime Minister’s visit presents a substantial opportunity to reinforce Pakistan-Malaysia relations.
The official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Islamabad underscores the long-standing relationship between Malaysia and Pakistan, which has been marked by a strategic partnership established in 2019. This visit seeks to revitalize collaboration in various sectors, including trade, culture, and regional affairs, amid a backdrop of declining trade figures and ongoing geopolitical issues. The presence of a high-level delegation indicates the importance of this visit in fostering a more robust bilateral relationship, while discussions will also touch upon significant international matters relevant to both nations.
In summary, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s three-day visit to Pakistan is poised to enhance bilateral relations by addressing key areas such as trade, connectivity, and cultural exchange. With a focus on cooperation and mutual interests, this visit provides a vital opportunity to improve the economic and strategic partnership between Malaysia and Pakistan at a time of geopolitical complexities.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
