ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI (MNN); Pakistan and Malaysia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, security and defence, with senior leaders from both countries holding a series of high-level engagements.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Datoā Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while Malaysiaās Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Bin Ismail held separate meetings with the prime minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
During his telephone conversation with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inquired about his Malaysian counterpartās health and conveyed his best wishes for his early and complete recovery.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in bilateral relations and agreed to further expand cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and investment.
Regional developments, especially the situation in the Gulf and the broader Middle East, also came under discussion. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appreciated Pakistanās efforts for regional peace and acknowledged the leadership and role of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in promoting peace and stability.
Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked his Malaysian counterpart for Malaysiaās continued support for Pakistanās efforts towards regional peace and reiterated Pakistanās commitment to working closely with Malaysia and other friendly countries to promote lasting peace, particularly in the Middle East.
The two leaders agreed to meet at a mutually convenient opportunity in the near future. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also renewed his invitation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at an early date convenient to him.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Datoā Seri Saifuddin Nasution Bin Ismail, accompanied by the Malaysian Ambassador to Pakistan and a high-level delegation, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Ministerās House in Islamabad.
The prime minister welcomed the Malaysian minister and conveyed his best wishes to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, while also reiterating Pakistanās resolve to further strengthen its close and brotherly relations with Malaysia across all sectors.
The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in security, law enforcement, trade and investment, besides exchanging views on regional developments and efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.
The Malaysian minister conveyed good wishes from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and expressed Malaysiaās keen interest in further consolidating its strong bilateral partnership with Pakistan.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the signing ceremony of an agreement between Pakistan and Malaysia on the transfer of convicted persons. The agreement was signed by Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Bin Ismail and Pakistanās Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
Separately, the Malaysian home minister, along with the Malaysian ambassador and delegation, met Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
During the meeting, regional security dynamics and other matters of mutual interest were discussed. Both sides reaffirmed the strong and enduring relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia and expressed their determination to broaden cooperation in areas of common interest.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistanās commitment to further deepening defence cooperation and strategic engagement with Malaysia.
The series of high-level engagements reflected the growing momentum in Pakistan-Malaysia relations, with both countries expressing their resolve to expand cooperation across economic, security, law-enforcement and defence sectors while continuing consultations on regional peace and stability.
