Latest news with #Malaysia-Pakistan
Business Recorder
11-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
FM Ishaq Dar engages with key global leaders at ASEAN Forum
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday called on various international dignitaries including Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkiye Hakan Fidan and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on the sidelines of 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting. During the meeting with the Malaysian PM, he conveyed warm wishes from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Malaysia. PM Ibrahim reciprocated the warm sentiments and said that he looked forward to the visit of PM Shehbaz in October this year. Appreciating Malaysia's leadership as ASEAN Chair for 2025, DPM Dar thanked Premier Ibrahim for the warm hospitality and impressive arrangements at the 32nd ARF Ministerial Meeting. He also appreciated the practical steps taken by the Malaysian side for promotion of trade and investment between the countries following the visit of PM Ibrahim to Pakistan in October 2024. The Malaysian PM, in a social media post, said several memorandum of understandings (MoUs) are expected to be signed, reflecting the growing depth of our bilateral ties, during PM Shehbaz's visit. 'Malaysia-Pakistan trade rose by over 25% last year to USD1.76 billion. We reaffirmed our commitment to finalising the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA), and discussed expanding halal meat exports with a focus on price competitiveness. We also explored new areas of cooperation in agriculture, including rice trade,' he said. PM Ibrahim said the conversation with FM Dar touched on regional and global issues, including ASEAN-Pakistan relations and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. 'Malaysia maintains its support for peaceful resolution [of Kashmir conflict] through dialogue, in line with UN Security Council resolutions,' he said. He also welcomed the prospect of deeper engagement between Pakistan and ASEAN moving forward. During meeting with Lammy, Dar said they reviewed 'the positive momentum in Pakistan–UK relations and reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening this partnership'. He said he was pleased to meet the UK foreign secretary. They also discussed recent regional and global developments, he added. 'I appreciated the UK's constructive engagement during India-Pak conflict in April-May 2025,' the foreign minister said pointing towards the UK's role in defusing tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. Meanwhile, Dar also had a warm exchange with Fidan on deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Turkiye. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the bilateral cooperation, he said. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas had an informal interaction with the foreign minister during a Gala Dinner hosted by the Malaysian FM. 'They had a candid exchange on a range of issues of mutual interest,' Pakistan Embassy Belgium wrote in a post on X.
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Malaysia PM seeks deeper economic ties as investment from Pakistan hits $397 million
ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday expressed hope for increased Pakistani investment, noting it had grown to nearly $397 million in recent years, as the two countries look to deepen economic and diplomatic ties. Ibrahim's comments came shortly after a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif, during which both leaders exchanged Eid Al-Fitr greetings and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations. Sharif is expected to travel to Kuala Lumpur in May on an official visit, following Ibrahim's three-day trip to Islamabad last October. That visit saw the signing of several memoranda of understanding between the two sides and the conferment of Pakistan's highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on the Malaysian leader. 'This evening, I spoke with my counterpart from Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, exchanging and reaffirming our commitment to strengthening Malaysia-Pakistan ties,' Ibrahim wrote in a post on social media platform X. 'Our friendship continues to deepen, opening new avenues for cooperation, particularly following my visit to Pakistan last October.' 'Pakistan's investments in Malaysia have grown to approximately $397 million, and I welcome further investments, especially in agriculture, petrochemicals and biomass industries,' he said. The two leaders also reviewed collaboration in trade, education and research while agreeing to expedite pending matters to advance shared goals, Ibrahim added. The Malaysian prime minister said the conversation also covered the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where 'Israel's violations of the ceasefire continue to undermine peace efforts.' Both leaders discussed coordinated efforts to support reconstruction in the besieged territory and to end the violence against Palestinians. 'I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Shehbaz on his maiden visit to Malaysia on 9 May,' Ibrahim said, expressing his hope that the partnership would continue to strengthen for the benefit of both nations. Pakistan and Malaysia have long maintained cordial relations, with both countries working to expand cooperation in various sectors. The renewed outreach comes as Islamabad intensifies its economic diplomacy to attract foreign investment and revive its struggling economy.
