Putrajaya:
Pakistan and Malaysia have renewed their longtime friendship on Monday with a wave of high-level commitments, leading to the signing of six important agreements to strengthen cooperation through trade, education, halal certification, anti-corruption and tourism.
The signing of the six understanding memoranda (MOUS) during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif marks a decisive step towards a deeper strategic partnership rooted in shared economic objectives and Islamic solidarity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, currently during an official three -day visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, received a ceremonial reception at the Perdana Putra complex, with an honor guard by the Malaysian armed forces.
The two leaders then directed talks at the level of the delegation which lasted a wide range of areas – economic reform and higher education in regional security and global peace efforts. After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of memoranda of understanding.
Mous has covered collaboration on higher education, diplomats training, promotion of tourism, halal certification, anti-corruption efforts and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The ceremony, held at the office of the Prime Minister of Putrajaya, brought together main ministers and civil servants on both sides, including Darrier Minister Ishaq Dar, the Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Mohamad Hasan.
At the heart of the renewed partnership is an ambitious economic program. Malaysia has announced its intention to import $ 200 million in Halal certified meat in Pakistan – a decision considered as a historical development in bilateral trade.
Prime Minister Shehbaz assured his Malaysian counterpart that Pakistan “would compete with the price, quality and commitment”, promising not only to achieve but would go beyond the objective.
“You have announced a quota of $ 200 million for Pakistan meat exports to Malaysia,” he said. “Let me assure you to our Malaysian partners that we will meet all the halal certification conditions and exceed expectations. When consumers are satisfied, the sky is the limit.”
Shehbaz also underlined the potential of Pakistan as a fifth world producer of cotton and milk, and the fourth mango producer, inviting Malaysian investors to exploit agriculture and added food processing.
“Our mangoes are among the best around the world,” he said, suggesting joint ventures to develop processing units based on SMEs for export. Malaysia, in turn, expressed interest in stimulating palm oil exports to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, speaking at the Pakistan-Malaysia Business and Investment conference, which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has attended that sustainable economic progress has been accumulating in private enterprise rather than in state intervention.
“It is the private sector that must stimulate the engine of growth,” he said. “Governments can only lay the foundations and provide the framework. Business must be managed by business, businesses and experts – not by the government.”
He praised the economic transformation of Malaysia under the direction of Anwar Ibrahim, describing it as “nothing less than a miracle” and expressed his confidence that Pakistan could obtain similar results by consistency, investment and regional cooperation.
Currently as part of an International Monetary Fund Program (IMF), Shehbaz said Pakistan was aimed at achieving economic independence within two years. “If entrepreneurs on both sides engage in joint ventures and sustainable partnerships, we can say goodbye to the IMF forever,” he said.
The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in information technology, telecommunications, halal industry, automotive production, green energy, tourism, higher education and agriculture. They also discussed collaboration in electrical and electronic manufacturing, connectivity and attenuation of climate change.
The Prime Ministers have reaffirmed their intention to strengthen the links within the framework of the Nations of the Association of Nations of Southeast Asia (Anase), Malaysia reiterating its support for the candidacy of Pakistan to become a complete dialogue partner of the regional block.
In recognition of the leadership role of Malaysia in Anase, Shehbaz congratulated Anwar Ibrahim for the hypothesis of his country of the chair and expressed his will of Pakistan to contribute significantly to regional trade and stability.
Regional and international issues dominated part of the discussions. The two leaders condemned the Israeli aggression continues in Gaza and reaffirmed their call for “concrete international action” to end the Palestinian suffering.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the two countries shared moral and political responsibility for maintaining justice and peace in the Muslim world. He expressed his appreciation for the constructive role of Pakistan in regional peace efforts, including his coherent position on Palestine.
The Malaysian chief also stressed that “peace between Pakistan and India was vital for regional stability” and recognized Pakistan’s position on cashmere, reaffirming the support of Malaysia to a peaceful regulation in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
The two parties agreed to maintain a close consultation on international developments and to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations (UN) and the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC).
A symbolic highlight of the visit was the joint launch of the Urdou translation of the founding book of Anwar Ibrahim “ Script: For a Better Malaysia ”, which describes its vision of leadership and reform.
Shehbaz praised work as “a director for the Madani vision of Malaysia” and an inspiration for nations pursuing sustainable and inclusive development. He also recognized the translation by Malaysia of the works of Allama Iqbal in Malaysus last year, calling it “bridge of intellect and culture” between the two nations.
“Iqbal’s philosophy has self-realization and discovery shows that nations are built by hard work and unshakable commitment, not magic wands,” he noted. In response, Anwar Ibrahim congratulated Pakistani professionals, students and qualified workers for their contributions to the progress of Malaysia, describing them as “an integral part of the Malaysian development landscape”.
Later, speaking on behalf of the Malaysian government, the Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil, said that the meeting between the two leaders reaffirmed “a strong bond of friendship and a shared aspiration to build a more dynamic and resilient partnership”.
“The close cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan will not only expand economic opportunities,” he said, “but will also strengthen the unity of the Islamic world through trade, investment and a sustainable halal industry”.
He added that the two countries remained determined to strengthen the closer economic partnership agreement (MPCEPA) and to strengthen mutual recognition of Halal certification standards.
Before concluding his visit, Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude for “exceptionally hot” hospitality of Malaysia, calling the country as “second house”. He said: “I leave Malaysia much more informed and inspired by his development journey.”
He stressed that Pakistan too, with its abundant resources and its resilient people, can and will draw a path of prosperity and self -sufficiency. “Together, Pakistan and Malaysia will achieve common objectives based on faith, friendship and prospective cooperation.”
