Kuala lumpur: Pakistan and Malaysia have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting balanced and sustainable economic ties through enhanced market access and business facilitation. This commitment was expressed during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, as Shehbaz Sharif concluded his three-day official visit to Malaysia.
According to Radio Pakistan, the two sides emphasized the effective utilization of the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement. Malaysia expressed its intention to expand palm oil exports to Pakistan. Both leaders acknowledged the growing global demand for halal products and services, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in the halal sector, including mutual recognition of halal certification and the sharing of best practices.
The leaders also agreed to explore joint research and innovation in sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, they aimed to deepen bilateral cooperation in defense science, technology, and industry through knowledge and technology transfer. The meeting also welcomed further cooperation in education, particularly technical and vocational training, and the enhancement of institutional partnerships.
Recognizing the importance of aviation in fostering connectivity, the leaders agreed to enhance air travel services between the two countries and explore opportunities for increased connectivity. They also discussed collaboration in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices to enhance public health and commercial exchanges.
The leaders expressed optimism about expanding tourism cooperation, especially in light of Malaysia’s “Visit Malaysia 2026” and “Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026” campaigns. Malaysia extended a warm welcome to Pakistani travelers, with both leaders agreeing to enhance tourism promotion and cultural exchanges.
The two sides recognized the importance of people-to-people ties and welcomed the positive contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in labor, including technical training and skills development.
The leaders agreed to explore cooperation in renewable energy, energy transition, and climate resilience, including knowledge-sharing and joint research. They also reaffirmed their support for enhanced collaboration in science, technology, and innovation, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Both leaders committed to enhancing regional cooperation in disaster management and risk reduction, emphasizing the exchange of knowledge and best practices in humanitarian assistance and post-disaster recovery. They also expressed their commitment to enhancing cyber-security cooperation and combating transnational organized crimes, terrorism, and cybercrime.
In the international arena, the two leaders reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah and upholding the true values of Islam. They emphasized resolving international challenges through peaceful means in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.
The Prime Ministers discussed geopolitical issues, condemning the ongoing genocide in Gaza and expressing support for the Palestinian right to self-determination. They called for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. On regional issues, they reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and stressed the importance of continued engagement with Afghan authorities to combat terrorism.
Both leaders condemned all forms of Islamophobia and discrimination based on religion, calling for concerted international action to combat intolerance. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed strong support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and welcomed the progress in implementing the ASEAN-Pakistan Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.
Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian government for their warm hospitality during his visit.