On Thursday, 24 July 2025, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, participated in an interactive session on “Economic Integration between Pakistan and the ASEAN Region” hosted by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), in collaboration with Regional Rapport.
The session was held at the FPCCI President Secretariat in Islamabad and brought together key stakeholders from ASEAN member states, senior Pakistani officials, business leaders, and representatives from both the public and private sectors. Ambassador Azhar was accompanied by Mr. Mohd Syafik Firdaus Bin Hasbullah, Counsellor/Deputy Head of Mission, and Mr. Muhammad Zulasri Bin Rosdi, First Secretary. The event was also graced by H.E. Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, as Chief Guest, and H.E. Mr. Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh, Federal Minister for Investment.
In his statement, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain called for deepened economic engagement with ASEAN and stressed that trade volumes remain well below potential. He cited sectors such as textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, IT, and energy as promising areas for enhanced cooperation. He also encouraged collaboration in vocational training, digital entrepreneurship, and technology transfer, drawing from ASEAN’s innovative strengths. Minister Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to attracting ASEAN investments, stating that the government is working to simplify regulations and safeguard investor interests. He pledged to improve trade diplomacy and economic integration with ASEAN member states.
Following that, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh in his speech pointed out the current trade imbalance, with Pakistan exporting USD2.2 billion to ASEAN while importing over USD6 billion. He stressed that Pakistan’s strategic geographic position presents ASEAN with a new market of opportunities, and called for collaborative efforts to close the gap through better market access and targeted trade facilitation.
In his address, Ambassador Azhar underlined Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening regional and bilateral economic ties, particularly under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. He noted that Malaysia is currently advancing a comprehensive ASEAN agenda, including high-level engagements such as the recent ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and international counterparts. These engagements, along with the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Malaysia, reflect the significance of leadership diplomacy in shaping strategic outcomes. Ambassador Azhar emphasised that ASEAN’s foundation, built on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence since its establishment in 1967 has enabled it to emerge as a zone of peace and neutrality, a prerequisite for economic growth and integration.
The High Commissioner stressed that ASEAN is now the world’s fifth-largest economy, with a GDP exceeding USD4.1 trillion and a population of over 700 million. It is projected to become the fourth-largest by 2030. Given this trajectory, Ambassador Azhar encouraged Pakistani businesses to explore ASEAN markets, particularly Malaysia, as a gateway. He highlighted existing Pakistani investments in Malaysia’s palm oil, textiles, and furniture manufacturing sectors, and pointed to Malaysian commercial involvement in Pakistan through institutions such as Maybank, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and Proton. He also proposed greater collaboration in Islamic finance, renewable energy, halal product certification, and technology exchange including solar panel manufacturing, underscoring Malaysia’s capacity to offer both Chinese and German technological standards in solar solutions.
Ambassador Azhar concluded by reiterating Malaysia’s readiness to support Pakistan in pursuing full ASEAN dialogue partner status, provided there is mutual commitment. He affirmed Malaysia’s willingness to facilitate visa services for legitimate businesspersons, workers, and tourists, noting that Malaysia hosts the largest Pakistani diaspora in Southeast Asia, with over 100,000 Pakistanis on record. As a final message, he commended FPCCI’s leadership in convening the session and reaffirmed the shared vision for stronger ASEAN-Pakistan and Malaysia-Pakistan ties.
