Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan and Malaysia had agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, and emerging technologies following what he described as \u201chighly productive\u201d talks with Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPakistan can greatly benefit from Malaysia\u2019s expertise in technology, IT, and AI,\u201d Shehbaz said at a joint press conference. \u201cWe are eager to learn from Malaysia\u2019s experience and pursue joint ventures and mutually beneficial projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He welcomed Malaysia\u2019s decision to import $200 million worth of meat from Pakistan and assured that Pakistan would make every effort to meet Malaysian conditions. He also noted Malaysia\u2019s increasing import of Pakistani rice and expressed optimism about further expanding agricultural trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The prime minister hailed the Urdu translation of Anwar Ibrahim\u2019s book Script, describing it as \u201ca guiding framework for sustainability, mutual respect, compassion, innovation, research and development, progress, prosperity, and mutual trust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He praised Anwar\u2019s \u201cvisionary leadership\u201d and reaffirmed that Pakistan \u2014 \u201ca nation blessed with immense resources and great minds\u201d \u2014 was committed to equipping its youth with modern knowledge and partnering with Malaysia for shared prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, recalling the \u201chistoric fraternal relations\u201d between the two nations, said economic cooperation had always been central to their ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is our joint aspiration to further enhance collaboration in all fields,\u201d he stated, adding that Malaysia would also facilitate beef imports from Pakistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted the potential for cooperation in emerging technologies and commended Pakistan\u2019s stance on Palestine, noting that both countries supported peace efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PM Shehbaz and his Malaysian counterpart, addressed the audience at the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Forum later in the day, calling for greater economic engagement between the two countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFundamentals remain economic, but we must admit with regret that we have not done enough,\u201d said Prime Minister Anwar. \u201cI am grateful to Prime Minister Shehbaz for advancing this agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emphasising the importance of regional cooperation, Mr Anwar added: \u201cOne country, one system is futile. We need to broaden our relations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz appealed to the private sector, stressing that while governments can lay the foundation, \u201cit is the private sector that must drive the engines of growth\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PM Shehbaz is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi on his three-day official visit. He was received on arrival in Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil and Pakistan\u2019s High Commissioner Syed Ahsan Raza Shah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, PM Shehbaz was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Perdana Putra Complex, where he inspected contingents of the Malaysian armed forces. Both leaders introduced their delegations before holding one-on-one and delegation-level talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two sides signed memorandums of understanding covering higher education, tourism, halal certification, anti-corruption cooperation and small and medium enterprises. They also discussed expanding ties in trade, telecom, the halal industry, investment, energy, infrastructure, the digital economy and people-to-people contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n