Pakistan, Malaysia strengthen ties with major trade, defence agreements

Pakistan and Malaysia on Thursday agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defence, and agriculture. Both countries also reiterated their strong positions on regional issues such as Gaza and Kashmir.

Following a one-on-one meeting and delegation-level talks, the two prime ministers held a joint press conference, highlighting their commitment to strengthening collaboration in areas of mutual interest and addressing regional and international matters.

As part of their efforts to boost bilateral trade, both leaders announced that Pakistan would export halal meat worth $200 million annually, along with 100,000 metric tonnes of Basmati rice to Malaysia.

The total trade volume between Malaysia and Pakistan currently stands at $1.4 billion, encompassing products such as palm oil, textiles, chemicals, electronics, and apparel. Pakistan is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner in South Asia.

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed confidence in the quality of Pakistan’s exports. He assured that Pakistan would uphold the highest standards for its products. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim assured Pakistan that any discrepancies in the import of Pakistani rice would be addressed.

PM Shehbaz described their meeting as "wonderful," noting that they discussed enhancing trade and investment, as well as exploring further cooperation in defence, tourism, agriculture, green energy, skilled labour, and youth empowerment. 

He stressed both countries’ commitment to elevating trade and investment cooperation to new heights, envisioning a bright future for the two nations.

On defence and security cooperation, he expressed Pakistan's readiness to further strengthen ties. He also highlighted the role of the thousands of Pakistani students currently studying in Malaysia in fostering closer people-to-people connections.

Shehbaz also praised Malaysia’s development, suggesting it as a model for other Muslim countries due to its success in attracting foreign direct investment and boosting exports. 

He stated that both leaders discussed the tragic situation in Gaza, condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression. He called for an immediate ceasefire, describing the situation as "heart-wrenching" and "heart-breaking."

Regarding Kashmir, he reiterated Pakistan’s stance, condemning the denial of Kashmiris' right to self-determination despite decades of sacrifices. He expressed hope that Kashmiris would soon attain their rights in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and their aspirations.

PM Ibrahim stated that both countries had reached significant agreements, with follow-up discussions planned at the upcoming joint commission meeting in Kuala Lumpur to ensure swift implementation. He announced the opening of a Malaysian trade office in Karachi to bolster economic cooperation.

He also expressed Malaysia’s interest in hiring more skilled labour, particularly in sectors like IT, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, identifying Pakistan as a potential source of this talent. Additionally, he confirmed Malaysia’s commitment to importing 100,000 tonnes of Basmati rice from Pakistan.

He praised PM Shehbaz’s address at the UN General Assembly for effectively advocating for Gaza and commended Pakistan’s firm stance against Israel’s aggression. He further remarked that the current violence in Gaza and Lebanon was not simply a conflict between two nations but a violation of international norms, criticising the global community's inaction.

Reaffirming Malaysia’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, PM Ibrahim reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to the UN Security Council resolutions.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and a Letter of Cooperation. 

These agreements included an MoU between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) on trade cooperation, an MoU between the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council (PMBC) and the Malaysia-Pakistan Business Council (MPBC) for cooperation in Halal trade. 

A Letter of Cooperation between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was also signed.

During the visit, PM Ibrahim presented PM Shehbaz with the works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, translated into Bahasa Melayu, along with an Urdu copy of his own book, 'The Asian Renaissance'.

Earlier, Ibrahim, who arrived on Wednesday for a three-day state visit with a high-level delegation, was welcomed at the Prime Minister’s House with a guard of honour.