PM Imran to embark on two-day official visit to Malaysia tomorrow

Visit is seen as significant since it comes merely a few weeks after Islamabad skipped Kuala Lumpur summit

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to undertake a two-day official visit to Malaysia on Monday (tomorrow) in what appears to be an effort on part of Pakistan to underline importance it attaches to Kuala Lumpur.

The visit is seen as significant since it comes merely a few weeks after the Kuala Lumpur summit. the premier pulled out of the event attended by leaders from Iran, Turkey, Qatar besides host Malaysia.

Pakistan initially confirmed its participation at the summit but changed its mind after Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries voiced concerns over it.

Riyadh viewed the summit as an attempt to create a new Islamic bloc. Islamabad made frantic efforts to convince the Saudi leadership to join the moot but could not bridge the differences between Kuala Lumpur and the oil-rich kingdom.



Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had told journalists that Pakistan decided to stay out of the summit in order to maintain  neutrality in the Muslim World.

Turkish President Recep Tayab Erdogan, however, had a different story to tell. He claimed that Saudi Arabia threatened to withdraw financial assistance as well as expel Pakistani workers if Pakistan participated in the summit.

Riyadh rubbished such claims and insisted that its ties with Islamabad were beyond the realm of threats and intimidation.

Sources say the upcoming visit of PM Imran is aimed at removing misgivings Malaysia may have about Pakistan for skipping the Kuala Lumpur summit.

Premier's 'robust engagement'

A detailed statement issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday ahead of the visit highlighted the importance of Pakistan's relationship with Malaysia.

"The prime minister’s visit is another sign of robust engagement between Pakistan and Malaysia and the shared commitment to further fortify the strategic partnership between the two countries," said the statement.

During the visit, the two prime ministers would have tete-e-tete, followed by delegation-level talks. They will witness signing of important agreement/MoUs, and have joint press stakeout. PM Imran will also address a think-tank event organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) of Malaysia, the communique added.

It would be the prime minister’s second visit to Malaysia since assuming office in August 2018. His maiden trip was in November 2018.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had visited Pakistan in March last year, and was the chief guest at the Pakistan Day Parade.

The two premiers also met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York in September 2019.

"Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy close, cordial ties based on commonalities of faith and culture and marked by exceptional mutual trust and understanding," the statement further said.

In line with the vision of leadership of the two countries, bilateral ties have deepened in recent years, leading to closer cooperation in the sphere of trade, investment, industry, defence, education and in various international forums, it added.

"The visit of the prime minister will provide an opportunity to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirm Pakistan’s resolve to forge a robust economic relationship with Malaysia and further expand the existing broad-based, long-term and enduring cooperation," the official handout read.

During his various interactions, Premier Imran will share his vision about Pakistan and underline the country’s positive contribution to regional and international peace and security.

"The prime minister will also highlight the dire human rights and humanitarian situation in IOJ&K [India Occupied Jammu and Kashmir], emphasise the importance of averting risks to regional peace and stability posed by Indian belligerence, and underscore the importance of peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute," according to the FO statement.

The prime minister’s visit will contribute to further strengthening the historic Pakistan-Malaysia ties and taking bilateral cooperation to a higher level, it added.