Shehbaz Sharif Officially Welcomed at Perdana Putra, Strengthening Malaysia–Pakistan Ties

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 6 (VoM):Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was accorded an official welcome today at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya as he began a three-day official visit to Malaysia aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation.

Shehbaz, who arrived at 10 a.m., was greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems of both nations, followed by Shehbaz’s inspection of a guard of honor mounted by three officers and 103 members of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (Istiadat), led by Major Muhammad Akmal Hakim.

Also present at the welcoming ceremony 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 Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, alongside senior officials, diplomats, and representatives from both countries.

The visit, made at Anwar’s invitation, is a reciprocal gesture following Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Pakistan in October 2024, underscoring both nations’ commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations.

After the ceremony, Shehbaz signed the visitors’ book before holding a bilateral meeting with Anwar. The two leaders are expected to review the state of Malaysia–Pakistan relations and discuss new areas of cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, the halal industry, education, tourism, and defense.

They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and witness the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering cooperation in tourism, higher education, halal certification, anti-corruption efforts, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). An Exchange of Notes on diplomatic training will also be signed.

As a gesture of friendship, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will present Anwar Ibrahim with an Urdu-language edition of Anwar’s book “SCRIPT: For a Better Malaysia.”

Since the elevation of Malaysia–Pakistan relations to a strategic partnership in March 2019, cooperation between the two countries has expanded significantly. Bilateral trade reached RM8.07 billion (USD 1.76 billion) in 2024, marking a 25.5% increase compared to the previous year.

Malaysia’s main exports to Pakistan include palm oil, petroleum, and chemical products, while Pakistan’s key exports to Malaysia comprise agricultural goods, textiles, clothing, footwear, and petroleum products.

The visit is expected to further enhance mutual trust and partnership, paving the way for stronger economic and diplomatic collaboration between the two Muslim-majority nations.