Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim to Visit Pakistan in October

Naveed Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to visit Pakistan in the first week of October, marking the first visit by a Malaysian head of state to the country in five years, according to diplomatic sources. A high-level delegation will accompany him on this important trip.
During a press conference, Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, confirmed the visit and stated that it will be Anwar Ibrahim’s first official trip to Pakistan. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, with key meetings scheduled between the Malaysian Prime Minister and Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are also expected to be signed during the visit.
The High Commissioner emphasized that discussions will cover a range of topics, including bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and the Palestine issue, highlighting the depth of cooperation between the two countries.
The High Commissioner emphasized Malaysia’s strategic position as the gateway to the ASEAN market and encouraged Pakistani investors to explore opportunities in Malaysia.
Pakistani companies have already invested $500 million in Malaysia, and further cooperation is encouraged in various sectors, including oil, gas, and energy.
He however added Malaysia’s Petronas company is a key player in the oil and gas sector, and a Malaysian company is also operating an independent power plant in Balloki, Lahore.
Me.Azlan said Malaysia is eager to share its experiences with Pakistan, particularly in the fields of technology and industry. The country has learned from Japan’s automobile industry and now produces its own Proton car, while also establishing a “Silicon Valley” in Cyberjaya.
The High Commissioner noted that Alibaba’s Jack Ma has begun operations in Malaysia, reflecting the country’s growing importance in the tech industry.
Hr also touched on Malaysia’s aspirations for the future, admitting that the country had originally aimed to become a developed nation by 2020 but had not fully achieved this goal. Now, Malaysia is focused on achieving this milestone by 2030.
The upcoming visit is expected to further enhance ties between Pakistan and Malaysia, particularly in areas of trade, investment, and international cooperation.