https://arab.news/baatq
- Shehbaz Sharif will hold talks with Anwar Ibrahim, witness the signing of agreements and MoUs
- Visit aims to deepen cooperation in trade, IT, halal industry, investment, energy and other sectors
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Malaysia today, Sunday, to hold talks with his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and explore ways to deepen cooperation across key economic sectors, according to an official statement.
The visit comes as Pakistan pushes for export-led growth and seeks new markets to recover from a prolonged economic crisis that brought it close to default two years ago.
Last month, Sharif instructed his administration to draw up a plan to boost exports, particularly beef, to Malaysia, noting the “enormous potential” to expand trade between the two countries.
Malaysia is already a major supplier of palm oil to Pakistan, while halal meat remains a largely untapped area of bilateral trade.
“At the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Malaysia from 5-7 October 2025,” the foreign office said in a statement released on Saturday. “He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Federal Ministers and senior government officials.”
“During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Malaysian counterpart as well as discuss key regional and global developments,” it added. “The two leaders will also deliberate on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade ... IT & telecom, Halal industry, investment, education, energy, infrastructure, digital economy, and people-to-people ties.”
The statement described the visit as reflecting a “strong and enduring strategic partnership” between Pakistan and Malaysia, rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. The two leaders are also expected to witness the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding in existing and new areas of cooperation.
“This visit underscores Pakistan’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia,” the foreign office said. “It also reaffirms the importance both countries place on working together to promote peace, stability, trade & investment and sustainable development.”
Pakistan and Malaysia established diplomatic ties in 1957, soon after Malaysia’s independence, and cooperate closely in multilateral forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Commonwealth.