Pakistan and Malaysia signed a comprehensive raft of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Monday, following “very productive” official talks between Prime Ministers Shehbaz Sharif and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The accords cement a commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, trade, education, Halal certification, and anti-corruption efforts. The prime ministers, who also discussed international issues including Israel’s actions in Gaza, vowed to leverage each nation’s strengths. Highlighting an immediate win, Malaysia announced it would import $200 million worth of Halal meat from Pakistan. Prime Minister Sharif assured Malaysian importers that this quota will be fully regulated by market price mechanisms and will comply with all stringent Halal certification requirements. He expressed confidence that Pakistan would not only meet the quota but surpass it, stating, “When consumers are satisfied, the sky is the limit.” On his first official visit to Malaysia, PM Sharif urged collaboration in new areas like agriculture, IT, and vocational training, seeking joint ventures and drawing on Malaysia’s expertise. As a gesture of goodwill, he presented PM Anwar Ibrahim with an Urdu translation of the Malaysian leader’s book, “SCRIPT: For a Better Malaysia”, praising his outstanding leadership, compassion, and sharp focus on building one of the world’s strongest economies. He said the book’s translated version added another bridge between Pakistan and Malaysia as Anwar Ibrahim’s work was guiding framework for his Madani vision of sustainability, mutual respect, care, innovation, research and development, prosperity, and mutual trust. He appreciated that last year, the works of Allama Iqbal Shikwa Jawab-e-Shikwa, Asrar-e-Khudi, and The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam were translated into Malay, emphasising that Iqbal’s philosophy called for self-realization and self-discovery and that nations were built not through magic wands but through hard work, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment. Expressing gratitude to the Malaysian government for “exceptionally warm” welcome to him and his delegation, the prime minister said that he would leave Malaysia my second home for Pakistan on Tuesday as far more informed and inspired of Malaysia’s development journey which Pakistan – a 240 million nation – also wanted to achieve. He said that Pakistan would forge a great partnership with Malaysia to achieve shared goals as the country had infinite blessings from Allah, including minerals, water, brilliant minds, fertile land, and the will to succeed. In his remarks, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that over the years, Pakistan and Malaysia had established strong ties in education, defence, and other fields, while continuously expanding economic cooperation. He said in this era of geopolitical uncertainties, both sides saw immense potential to deepen partnership in defence, agriculture, digital technologies, energy, and emerging fields. He said to strengthen bilateral economic ties, Malaysia would facilitate Pakistan’s interest to export meat to Malaysia and would do whatever was necessary to achieve these goals. On regional issues, he emphasized that peace between Pakistan and India was vital for regional stability. Appreciating Pakistan’s stance on Gaza, Anwar Ibrahim said both countries reaffirmed call for concrete action to end Gaza suffering. He said that Malaysia supported the 20-point peace initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump, while maintaining certain reservations on its framework. He also appreciated the contributions of Pakistani professionals, skilled workers and students who had long been part of the Malaysian development landscape. Expressing gratitude for the translation of his book, he said Malaysia had also undertaken the great work of translating the scholarly contributions of Allama Iqbal as his profound intellectual legacy continued to inspire them.Welcome ceremony Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, was accorded an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex. Shehbaz was received by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, followed by the playing of the national anthems of both countries. He then inspected a guard of honour mounted by three officers and 103 personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (Ceremonial), led by Mejar Muhammad Akmal Hakim Sabarudin. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing; Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar; and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. The ceremony was also attended by foreign diplomats, senior government officials and representatives from both nations’ ministries and agencies. Shehbaz’s visit to Malaysia was at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and serves as a reciprocal gesture to Anwar’s official visit to Pakistan in October 2024, reflecting the deepening ties between the two nations. After the ceremony, Shehbaz signed the guest book and then proceeded to a bilateral meeting with Anwar. Following the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in March 2019, Malaysia and Pakistan, which established diplomatic ties in 1957, recorded total trade of RM8.07 billion (US$1.76 billion) in 2024, marking a 25.5% increase from the previous year. Malaysia’s main exports to Pakistan include palm oil, petroleum and chemical products, while imports from Pakistan comprise agricultural goods, textiles, apparel, footwear and petroleum products. Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Malaysia Sunday for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries across multiple sectors. Upon his arrival at Banga Raya International Airport, the Prime Minister was received by Malaysian Minister of Information and Communications Fehmi Fadzil, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, and members of the diplomatic staff. The Prime Minister was accorded royal protocol and taken to his official residence. At the residence, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim personally welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, extending warm greetings on behalf of his government and people. “I am very happy to be in Malaysia and deeply appreciate the warm hospitality extended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” Shehbaz said, adding that the visit would serve to “further strengthen Pakistan–Malaysia bilateral relations.” The Pakistani delegation accompanying the Prime Minister includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
Pakistan and Malaysia Ink Raft of Accords, Vow to Strengthen Defence Ties
