Dato' Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, paid a courtesy call on Pakistan's newly appointed Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Amna Baloch, who assumed her post on September 11, 2024.
During the meeting, Dato' Azhar extended his warmest congratulations to Ambassador Baloch on her appointment. Noting her extensive diplomatic experience, including her tenure as Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2019 to 2023, he expressed confidence that bilateral relations between the two nations would reach new heights, according to a press release issued on Saturday.
Both sides engaged in extensive discussions aimed at advancing their strategic partnership. They explored new opportunities for collaboration in emerging sectors such as the automotive industry, blue economy, education, energy production, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
Dato' Azhar emphasised that despite the highest recorded bilateral trade of $1.8 billion, there remains significant potential for growth. He encouraged both countries to increase efforts toward new trade and investment initiatives.
In the regional context, the Malaysian high commissioner highlighted the opportunities presented by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), particularly Malaysia's strategic role as a gateway to the ASEAN market. He noted the immense potential for Pakistan to expand its economic engagement in the region, especially as Malaysia is set to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025.
Both sides also touched on issues of mutual concern, including the situations in Palestine and Afghanistan. As they prepared for the upcoming visit of Malaysia's prime minister to Pakistan, Dato' Azhar acknowledged the importance of the visit, noting that the last prime ministerial visit took place five years ago. He stressed that this upcoming visit is crucial for reinvigorating relations.
The meeting also discussed potential deliverables of the visit, focusing on areas such as trade, halal cooperation, air connectivity, and the tourism sector.
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