On Saturday, 7 October 2023, Ambassador Azhar attended a welcome dinner reception hosted by the Honourable Chaudhary Riaz-ul-Haq Juj, former Member of National/Provincial Assembly and President of National Kisan Wing, Pakistan at Nemat Club, Okara. Present on this occasion were local politicians, regional administration, business community and civil societies of Okara. Ambassador Azhar was accompanied by Mrs. Norwati Binti Majudi, Immigration Attaché, Mr. Mohd Sukry Bin Ahmad, Assistant Immigration Attaché - I and Mr. Naeem Sabir Virk, Translator/Interpreter of the High Commission.
In his welcoming speech, the Honourable Chaudhary Riaz-Ul-Haq Juj expressed his great pleasure to have received the High Commissioner at the land of potatoes, land of rice, land of milk and cattles district of central Punjab, Sahiwal Division. He extended special thanks to Ambassador Azhar on behalf of his family members and people of Okara for accepting the invitation and granted the latter's precious time on the eve of Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Okara Patient Welfare Association (OPWA) Health Complex (Mother and Child Care).
He commented that Pakistan always acknowledged mutual diplomatic ties with Malaysia with a sense of respect and esteem. He also acknowledged and admired the role of Malaysia's principal support on regional and international issues. He hoped that bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries would grow further during Ambassador Azhar's tenure as High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan.
In his remarks, Ambassador Azhar expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Honourable Chaudhary Riaz-Ul-Haq Juj, regional administration, business community and members of civil society of Okara for inviting him and the warm reception. Ambassador Azhar stated that it was a matter of honour for him to represent Malaysia in Pakistan and to have met with the people of Okara.
Ambassador Azhar shared that Malaysia and Pakistan established bilateral relations 66 years ago since the independence of Malaysia in 1957. Pakistan was one of the early countries who recognized the independence of Malaysia and one of the legal experts who drafted Malaysian constitution was a Pakistani. Being an agricultural hub, Ambassador Azhar suggested that Okara had the answer to the world concerning the crisis of food security. The fertile land of Okara was a prime example where its agriculture crops can be produced for the global market.
