Anwar to make official visit to Pakistan

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will make his first official visit to Pakistan from October 2 to 4, which is expected to strengthen Malaysia-Pakistan relations through strategic discussions to enhance bilateral cooperation.

According to Bernama, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also known as Wisma Putra, stated that the visit is at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, marking the first official meeting between the two leaders since Anwar became Prime Minister in November 2022.

The Malaysian Prime Minister will be welcomed with an official reception, followed by a bilateral meeting with Shehbaz, who will host a lunch for Anwar.

“This meeting will provide an opportunity for both prime ministers to evaluate existing cooperation and discuss initiatives to strengthen Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations, following the elevation of ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2019.

“They are expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” stated Wisma Putra.

Both prime ministers will witness the signing and exchange of two documents between Malaysia and Pakistan.

These documents include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Pakistan Trade Development Authority, as well as a Cooperation Letter between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA).

The ceremony will also feature the launch of three translated works by renowned Pakistani poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, translated from Persian, Urdu, and English into Malay.

Wisma Putra noted that Anwar is scheduled to deliver a lecture at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and will receive an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from the university.

During the visit, Anwar will also pay a courtesy call on the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, before attending a state banquet hosted by the president.

“The president is expected to confer Anwar with Pakistan’s highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, during their meeting at the Presidential Palace,” according to Wisma Putra.

Anwar will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Hasbi Habibollah; and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hasan.

Trade between Malaysia and Pakistan amounts to RM7.84 billion (US$1.4 billion), a decrease of 18 percent compared to RM7.89 billion (US$1.78 billion) in 2022.

Among the traded goods are palm oil, clothing, textiles, chemical and chemical-based products, as well as electrical and electronic products.

Pakistan is Malaysia’s 35th largest trading partner, the 31st largest export destination, and the 41st largest source of imports.

Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia’s third largest trading partner.

Malaysia is Pakistan’s 14th largest trading partner and the 14th largest export destination, as well as the 15th largest source of imports.

As of June 2024, there are 4,666 Pakistani students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions in Malaysia.