From 02 to 04 October 2024, Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia undertook a three-day visit to Islamabad, Pakistan. He was received by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at Pakistan Air Force Base. It was the Malaysian Prime Minister’s first official visit to Pakistan after assuming charge as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hassan; Minister of International Trade and Industry, Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Haji Hasbi Bin Haji Habibollah; and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Dr. Zulkifli bin Hasan.
On 03 October 2024, the two prime ministers formally met, to review the current state of cooperation and explore avenues to strengthen bilateral relations. The key areas of discussion included trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, the halal industry, tourism, cultural exchanges, and fostering stronger people-to-people ties.
Additionally, the leaders exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual interest especially the Israeli-Palestine conflict, and the evolving situation in the Middle East.
Following the meeting, they witnessed the signing and exchange of two important documents: a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and a letter of cooperation between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim followed by a state banquet. The award was given in recognition of his unwavering support for Islamic causes and his strong friendship with Pakistan. The special investiture ceremony was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr and was attended by the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Ministers, Military Chiefs, Diplomats, and senior government officials.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim also visited the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). The National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) upon the Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during a Special Convocation held at the NUST main campus. On this occasion, the Honourable dignitary also delivered a keynote address on Allama Iqbal, demonstrating a deep understanding of Iqbal’s thought, and its continuing relevance to balanced development, inclusive growth, and individual well-being.
In response, the Prime Minister expressed his sincere thanks for the warm hospitality extended to him by the government and people of Pakistan and hoped that the two nations will continue to grow even closer, forging stronger ties for the future.
He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude upon conferment of the doctorate (PhD) honoris causa by NUST, accepting it with great humility on behalf of the people of Malaysia as a symbol of the deep intellectual and cultural connection between the two nations. He maintained that it was a profound honour to be at NUST, terming the university a beacon of excellence in education, research and innovation. He further stated that three translated works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal which were originally written in Persian, Urdu and English will be launched in Bahasa Melayu.
