PM Pakistan's visit to Malaysia: A move to further strengthen bilateral relations I
Dr. Syed Mehboob
Economic and Political Analyst
Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif visited the brotherly Islamic country Malaysia from 5th to 7th October 2025. This visit was in the response of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister of Information Atta Tarar, and other government officials.
This visit underscored Pakistan’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia. It also reaffirmed the importance both countries place on working together to promote peace, stability, trade, investment, and sustainable development. This visit was also a part of serious efforts to enhance trade ties, as the current trade volume is far below the potential. In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and Pakistan was US$1.76 billion, which was an increase of 25.5 % compared with 2023. Key import items of Pakistan from Malaysia were palm oil, petroleum, and chemical products, while Pakistan exported to Malaysia items like agricultural products, textiles, apparel, footwear, and petroleum products. Pakistan and Malaysia have their diplomatic ties since 1957; these ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in March 2019.
Leaders of both countries held a bilateral meeting on 6th October to discuss Malaysia-Pakistan ties and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Both leaders reaffirmed the enduring bonds of friendship and the shared aspiration to build a more dynamic and resilient partnership. Both leaders held substantive discussions in a war and cordial atmosphere. The leaders underscored the importance of maintaining high-level exchanges to provide strategic direction for bilateral cooperation. Both leaders agreed to reconvene, at a mutually convenient time, the Joint Commission Meeting at the level of the Foreign Minister. They also recognized the vast potential in trade and investment, and expressed satisfaction with ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral trade and investment. They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting balanced and sustainable economic ties through enhanced market access, business facilitation, and the effective utilization of the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA).
Malaysia expressed its intention to expand palm oil exports to Pakistan, in line with the increasing demand within Pakistan’s food processing and manufacturing sectors. Both leaders agreed to ensure a stable and sustainable supply chain while upholding environmentally responsible practices. Pakistan and Malaysia agreed to ensure a stable and sustainable supply chain while upholding environmentally responsible practices. They acknowledged the growing global demand for Halal products and services, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of Halal. Both countries are committed to facilitating mutual recognition of Halal certification, strengthening Halal food supply and product manufacturing, and sharing best practices of Halal certification. They also acknowledged the importance of sustainable agricultural practices of Halal certification. Besides these, they also expressed their satisfaction with the strong ongoing defence collaboration under the purview of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) platform, since its establishment in 1997. Cooperation between the two countries has been tremendously strengthened through high-level visits, regular bilateral meetings at ministerial and military levels, military-to-military engagements, and defence industry linkages. Both sides also agreed to further deepen bilateral defense industry linkages. The leadership of both countries expressed their satisfaction with the strong ongoing defense collaboration under the purview of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) platform, since its establishment in 1997. Cooperation between the two countries has been at the ministerial and military levels, military-to-military engagements, and defence industry linkages. Both sides also agreed to further deepen the bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in the field of defence science, technology, and industry, through knowledge and technology transfer. Both leaders welcomed further cooperation in education, including technical and vocational training, and the enhancement of institutional partnerships.
Recognizing the importance of aviation in fostering greater connectivity and promoting people-to-people exchanges, the leaders agreed to enhance air travel services and explore opportunities for increased connectivity between Malaysia and Pakistan. Efforts will focus on increasing air traffic rights to enable the expansion of flight routes and facilitating the growth of air travel, thereby strengthening economic, business, and tourism ties between the two nations. The leaders also agreed to explore collaboration in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices to enhance public health and commercial exchange in these sectors.
The tourism sector also came under discussion, and both leaders expressed optimism in expanding tourism cooperation, particularly in light of Malaysia's “Visit Malaysia 2026 ( VM 2026) and “ Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026” ( MYMT2026) campaigns. Malaysia extended a warm welcome to Pakistani travelers, and the Leaders agreed to enhance tourism promotion and cultural exchanges from both sides. They also agreed to enhance people-to-people ties and welcomed the positive contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Malaysia to national development. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the area of labour, including technical training and skills development. Also agreed to cooperate in energy security and sustainability, and to explore cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, transition, and climate resilience, including knowledge sharing, joint research, and investment in clean energy projects. Both leaders reaffirmed their support for enhanced collaboration in science, technology, and innovation (STI), including cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation. There was an understanding about the critical importance of regional cooperation in disaster management and risk reduction, and a commitment to enhancing the exchange of knowledge and best practices in humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Also, they agreed to cooperate in cybersecurity and efforts in combating transnational organized crimes, terrorism, and terrorism financing, as well as cybercrime. They agreed to continue exchanging information and expertise to address emerging security challenges.
Pakistan and Malaysia also agreed to cooperate on international issues at international platforms like the United Nations Organization (UNO) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC), Developing 8, Organization for Economic Cooperation ( ECO), and reaffirmed their commitment towards mutual support for each other's initiatives and candidature to the international bodies. Both countries are also working for the unity of the Muslim ummah and have agreed to further enhance cooperation and to strengthen the solidarity of the Ummah and uphold the true value of Islam. They reaffirmed that international challenges must be resolved through peaceful means in full accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Leadership also discussed geopolitical issues, particularly the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in Rakhine state, Myanmar, which affects the Rohingya Muslim Community. In this context, both leaders strongly condemned genocide in Gaza and reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign, viable, contiguous, and independent Palestinian state, based on pre pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital. They also called for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, and an end to the blockade on Gaza, the protection of all civilians, and for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to those affected immediately. Both Leaders emphasized the importance of a just and lasting solution to the challenges in bringing peace and stability to the region. Both leaders also commended the international community’s efforts to find pragmatic measures in resolving the question of granting Palestinian statehood. Also, both sides agreed and reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and a sustainable future for its people. They emphasized the importance of continued engagement with the Afghan authorities, particularly for combating terrorism, to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and a sustainable future for its people. It was emphasized the importance of continued engagement with the interim Afghan authorities, particularly for combating terrorism, to prevent the use of Afghan soil against other countries. Highlighting the need for inclusive governance in the country and the protection of fundamental rights there, the leaders stressed the importance of maintaining humanitarian assistance and capacity building for the Afghanistan. Pakistan and Malaysia both condemned all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and incitement to violence, and reaffirmed their call upon the international community to undertake concerted action to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, and violence against persons based on religion or belief. The leaders underscored the importance of promoting mutual respect, tolerance and understanding among religions, cultures and peoples in line with relevant UN resolutions, including Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 and Resolution 53/1. The leaders welcomed the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 76/254 and 78/264, reaffirming the significance of the International Day of Combat Islamophobia, and encouraged the Secretary General to pursue the development of an action oriented plan in consultation with Member States, to effectively address Islamophobia and related forms of religious hatred. Pakistan and Malaysia both welcomed the appointment by the Secretary General of Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyabe of Spain as the United National Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia on 7 May 2025, noting his concurrent role as the High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and expressed their support for his mandate as part of collective international efforts to counter intolerance and promote peaceful coexistence.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Shahbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong support for Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship and expressed confidence in Malaysia’s leadership in steering ASEAN towards deeper regional integration, peace and prosperity. Both leaders welcomed the progress made in implementing the ASEAN Pakistan Secretarial Dialogue Partnership Practical Partnership Areas 2024-2028.
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