KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has praised the contributions of Pakistanis living in Malaysia, saying their presence as professionals, workers, and students has strengthened bonds between the two countries.
“We will give preference for them to stay and contribute here,” Anwar said at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who is in Malaysia on a three-day official visit, reported Bernama.
Anwar said the two nations’ relationship – which stretches back to Malaysia’s independence in 1957 – is grounded not only in historical friendship but also in practical cooperation across education, culture, defence and trade.
Both sides are now seeking to expand collaboration in new areas such as agriculture, defence, the digital economy, energy, and technology-driven sectors including STEM, ICT, innovation, semiconductors and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“Our joint aspiration is that we need to further enhance this collaboration in all fields. We are in a period of geopolitical uncertainties, so in the field of defence, agriculture, now digital, energy, and new technology are new areas, which we can further explore,” Anwar said.
The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues, including peace in the India-Pakistan subcontinent and counterterrorism cooperation.
Shehbaz, who received an official welcome ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex earlier in the day, is in Kuala Lumpur at Anwar’s invitation. His trip is a reciprocal gesture following Anwar’s official visit to Pakistan in October 2024, underscoring the deepening ties between the nations.
Malaysia and Pakistan elevated their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership in March 2019. Trade between the two countries climbed 25.5% year-on-year in 2024 to RM8.07 billion ($1.76bn), according to official figures.
Anwar said Malaysia’s political stability has opened the door to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan “more effectively” in the years ahead. — October 6, 2025