ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Thursday that Malaysia will import halal meat and rice from Pakistan. He made this announcement during a joint media conference with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Their bilateral meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in several key areas, including trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, education, and defense.
“As a result of our discussions, Malaysia has agreed in principle to import 100,000 tonnes of halal meat and basmati rice from Pakistan,” Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated. He added that this agreement would significantly benefit both nations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted that the export of halal meat alone could generate $200 million annually for Pakistan. This revenue would boost the country’s economy. Emphasizing quality assurance, PM Anwar expressed confidence that Pakistani exporters would meet Malaysia’s stringent halal standards. He assured that they would ensure the highest quality for Malaysian consumers.
Furthermore, Mr. Anwar announced that Malaysia would open a trade office in Karachi next month. This office aims to streamline the import process for halal meat and rice. By doing so, both countries hope to enhance trade efficiency and foster closer economic ties.
Beyond trade, the two leaders explored opportunities for collaboration in various sectors. They discussed defense, tourism, agriculture, semiconductors, green energy, skilled labor, and youth empowerment. “This visit to Pakistan is highly significant,” Mr. Anwar remarked. He noted that both delegations engaged in extensive discussions on topics ranging from economic zones to broader strategic issues.
PM Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s interest in increasing flights to Pakistan, which would welcome more Pakistani tourists. He highlighted Malaysia’s need for skilled professionals in information technology, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence. “Malaysia is a hub for the semiconductor industry, and we should explore collaborative opportunities in this sector,” he added.
During their talks, PM Shehbaz commended Malaysia’s strong stance against Israeli actions in Gaza and expressed solidarity with Palestine. He also addressed the Kashmir conflict, calling it a pressing global concern. He emphasized that the people of Kashmir continue their struggle for the right to self-determination.
Mr. Anwar echoed Pakistan’s stance on both Palestine and Kashmir. He reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to supporting United Nations Security Council resolutions on Kashmir. Additionally, he advocated for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing issues. He described the aggression in Gaza and Lebanon as a disregard for international order, condemning the inaction of the global community.
In a separate one-on-one meeting, the two prime ministers discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between their countries. They underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and exchange visits. They also emphasized mechanisms like the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) to deepen bilateral ties.
PM Shehbaz congratulated Mr. Anwar on Malaysia’s upcoming Chairmanship of ASEAN next year. In response, the Malaysian PM welcomed Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN, expressing hope for fruitful collaboration.
During the meeting, the two PMs witnessed the exchange of signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and a letter of cooperation. This included an MoU between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Malaysia’s External Trade Development Cooperation. Another MoU focused on halal trade cooperation between the two countries’ business councils.
Additionally, a letter of cooperation was signed between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. Later, PM Anwar presented works of renowned poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, translated into Bahasa Melayu. He also presented an Urdu copy of his book, The Asian Renaissance, to PM Shehbaz.
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