PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA:Pakistan and Malaysia have reaffirmed their shared commitment to further expand bilateral cooperation with particular focus on further strengthening economic and trade ties.
The resolve was expressed during highly constructive and fruitful meeting between Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.
During the meeting, the two leaders expressed their satisfaction on the steady progress in bilateral cooperation between both sides, following the Malaysian prime minister’s visit to Pakistan in October last year.
Both the leaders had a detailed exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
The two sides also agreed to continue working together to explore new avenues for collaboration, including investment and joint ventures in sectors such as information technology and telecommunications, the Halal industry, automotive, connectivity, green energy, electrical and electronic manufacturing, tourism, higher education, climate change and agriculture.
Both sides agreed to enhance the import quota of Halal meat exports from Pakistan to Malaysia to 200 million dollars.
They expressed their satisfaction on the exports of rice from Pakistan to Malaysia, which has in fact, exceeded its quota.
Shehbaz Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim also held detailed discussions on major regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East.
The Malaysian prime minister praised Pakistan’s efforts for a constructive role in the ongoing peace efforts in Palestine, including under the recent initiative of President Donald Trump.
Shehbaz Sharif also emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Malaysia at multilateral forums including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, particularly in the context of the complex challenges facing the Islamic world.
He reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and thanked Malaysia for its steadfast support for a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions.
The two leaders further deliberated on strengthening Pakistan-ASEAN engagement.
While congratulating the Malaysian prime minister on Malaysia’s assumption of the Chair of ASEAN, Shehbaz Sharif thanked Anwar Ibrahim for reaffirmation of Malaysia’s support to Pakistan’s bid to become a full dialogue partner of ASEAN.
Both the leaders agreed to remain in close consultation to follow up on the important decisions taken to enhance bilateral cooperation between both sides and to keep each other informed of their perspective on major international affairs.
On this occasion, the two prime ministers launched the Urdu translation of the Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s seminal work, SCRIPT, that presents his vision and values on leadership.
