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Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan aimed to collaborate with Malaysia on mutually beneficial initiatives that would leverage expertise from both nations. 

The premier, who is currently on a three-day trip to Malaysia, expressed these thoughts at a press conference alongside his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya after bilateral discussions.

He began his speech by expressing gratitude to PM Ibrahim for the hospitality shown to his delegation and referred to Malaysia as a “second home”. PM Shehbaz said that the warm welcome gave him the impression of meeting familiar faces and likened it to a reunion “akin to family gatherings”. 

Shehbaz remarked that the Malaysian premier’s commitment to fostering a robust economy showcased his leadership and vision, noting that both leaders had engaged in extensive discussions regarding bilateral relations and global issues, sharing similar perspectives on most subjects.

He also recalled PM Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan last year, deeming it significant in bolstering bilateral ties. 

The premier said that the two nations would collaborate to enhance economic and trade relations, promote joint ventures and stimulate investment. He highlighted that Pakistan could gain from Malaysia’s knowledge in technology, artificial intelligence and various growth sectors. 

He said that Pakistan was eager to partner with Malaysia in joint ventures and projects that would benefit both parties through collaborative expertise. 

PM Shehbaz acknowledged that approximately 150,000 Pakistanis residing in Malaysia were contributing to its development and emphasised that their involvement could further enhance economic collaboration between the two nations. 

In his address, he pointed out Ibrahim’s intention to import meat from Pakistan totaling $200 million. The premier mentioned that the export quota would adhere to market-driven pricing while complying with halal certification standards and food regulations in Malaysia.

He assured that Pakistan would fully meet these requirements to align with Malaysia’s expectations and increase future export volumes. 

PM Shehbaz also discussed the launch of an Urdu version of Ibrahim’s book “Script”, which presents his thoughts on sustainability, innovation, research and development. He noted that the ideas within the book offered valuable lessons for both current and future generations. 

He asserted that nations achieve progress through diligence and dedication, rather than shortcuts, and stated that Pakistan’s youth could become an asset given access to modern technology and skills. 

In his comments, PM Ibrahim recognised the contributions of Pakistani professionals and students in Malaysia, revealing that the country had boosted its rice imports from the country. He hinted that Malaysia was looking into opportunities to increase meat imports and would collaborate with the relevant authorities on this front. 

The Malaysian premier also stated that both parties had discussed collaboration in information technology, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, praising Pakistan’s early achievements in these areas. He said that Malaysia was now in a favorable position to enhance cooperation in these fields. 

The Malaysian leader mentioned that discussions between the two nations included regional peace, counter-terrorism efforts and the situation in Palestine and Gaza. He expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s position on the matters and conveyed that their joint backing for peace could contribute to sustainable stability. 

After the press conference, Ibrahim shared on social media that he had formally welcomed PM Shehbaz and his delegation in Putrajaya. He mentioned that their bilateral talks were held in a constructive atmosphere and the visit marked a new phase of strategic cooperation between the two countries. 

Earlier, PM Shehbaz received a guard of honour at the Perdana Putra Complex – the Malaysian premier’s office.