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PESHAWAR, Oct 07 (APP):In a move widely hailed by diplomatic, political and economic experts here Tuesday, the recent official visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Malaysia has opened a new chapter in the longstanding bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.
The three-day historic official visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Malaysia, marked by strategic and economic agreements and high-level engagements with top leadership, is being seen as a pivotal moment that has broadened the scope of cooperation in trade, technology, governance, livestock and regional collaboration.
One of the major outcomes of the PM Shehbaz Sharif visit was the successful signing of a landmark $200 million halal meat export agreement, a development poised to bolster Pakistan’s livestock and agricultural sectors. Former Ambassador Manzoorul Haq, in a discussion with APP, emphasized the significance of this landmark agreement, stating it will inject new life into Pakistan’s rural economy and enhance its exports immensely, benefiting the common man.
“Malaysia’s growing interest in Pakistani meat and rice signals a healthy upward trajectory in our agricultural and livestock trade,” said Ambassador Manzoor. “This will not only support local farmers in all provinces of Pakistan but also strengthen our overall trade balance, besides generating employment opportunities.”
He added that such strategic engagements provide Pakistan with an opportunity to tap into Malaysia’s expertise in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, information technology, and sustainable infrastructure.
The visit also saw the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in key sectors including higher education, halal certification, tourism, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and anti-corruption cooperation.
According to Professor Dr. Ejaz Khan, former chairman of the International Relations Department at the University of Peshawar, these MoUs signal a more holistic and future-oriented approach to bilateral relations besides making a positive impact on the economy and industrialization in Pakistan.
“Pakistan-Malaysia relations are entering a new era under PM Shehbaz Sharif Govt where the focus is not just on trade but on people-to-people contacts, technology sharing, digital economy, and education,” said Dr. Ejaz Khan. “The trade volume stood at about $1.5 billion in last fiscal year, which is relatively modest considering the potential. There is immense room for growth, especially in Pakistan’s exports.”
He reiterated that the imbalance in trade, with Malaysia’s exports primarily palm oil and machinery dominating the relationship, while Pakistan exports rice, meat, and vegetables. “We must work towards narrowing this gap through strategic export policies and improved trade facilitation,” he added.
During the visit, the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership and Governance on PM Shehbaz Sharif. The award recognized his great contributions to national development, governance reforms, and his role in promoting interfaith and regional harmony.
“The honorary degree is a symbol of PM Shehbaz Sharif rising diplomatic profile and the recognition of his great efforts in responsible governance, peace and international cooperation,” remarked Dr. Manzoor.
The historic visit also reinforced Pakistan’s push to become a Full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, a goal that received vocal support from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Analysts see this as a strategic pivot that could strengthen Pakistan’s role in Southeast Asian regional diplomacy.
“The reaffirmation of Malaysia’s support for Pakistan’s ASEAN aspirations enhances our geopolitical relevance in the Asia-Pacific region,” remarked Dr. Ejaz. “This is especially important in the post-conflict context where Pakistan’s international standing has gained momentum.”
The experts also appreciated the shared stance of both leaders on global challenges, including Islamophobia, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the importance of regional peace and security.
Another significant development during the PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit was the engagement with Malaysia’s leading business groups, including Gobi Partners, a major venture capital firm. Professor Dr. A.H. Hilali, former Chairman of the Political Science Department at the University of Peshawar, described these meetings as highly impactful.
“The Pakistani government’s establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is a proactive step to attract foreign investors. Malaysia’s business community has been invited to explore Pakistan’s emerging market, especially in sectors like technology, green energy, livestock, agriculture and IT,” said Dr. Hilali.
He further highlighted a recent Bloomberg report that marked a 2,200 basis point drop in Pakistan’s Credit Default Swap (CDS), signaling growing investor confidence. “Pakistan has now become the second-highest ranked country among emerging economies after Turkey, which is a remarkable turnaround,” he said.
With climate change posing significant threats to Pakistan as evident of the recent floods despite its no role in gas emissions, the two countries also agreed to enhance collaboration in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance.
Pakistan, having recently suffered devastating floods, aims to learn from Malaysia’s experience in post-disaster recovery and regional coordination.
Dr. Hilali emphasized that regional cooperation in this domain is not just necessary but urgent. “Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. Enhanced regional frameworks can improve preparedness and resilience across South and Southeast Asia.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Malaysia is being lauded as a diplomatic and economic success that redefines Pakistan-Malaysia relations. It reflects a strategic shift from traditional cooperation to a multi-faceted, future-oriented partnership encompassing economic, educational, technological, and humanitarian domains.
As both nations reaffirm their brotherly ties and shared vision, experts believe the visit will serve as a launchpad for deepened engagement and sustainable growth, not just bilaterally but within broader regional and global contexts that will benefit people.