On Tuesday, 21 November 2023, Ambassador Azhar witnessed the virtual signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS), Malaysia and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). The ceremony was held at the High Commission of Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur, the High Commission of Malaysia, Islamabad and ISSI, marked an important step in cooperation between the two think tanks. The ceremony concluded with expressions of gratitude and optimism for the future, symbolizing another milestone in the enduring friendship and collaboration between Malaysia and Pakistan.
His Excellency Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia, expressed his privilege in hosting the ceremony, emphasizing the strong cultural and research connections discussed during recent meetings between the two countries. The Director General of ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the historic Pakistan-Malaysia ties, shared faith and common values, growing bilateral economic collaboration, and convergence of views on key regional and international issues. He underscored that the tradition of Pakistan and Malaysia always espousing the causes of the Muslim Ummah. He added that Malaysia was a crucial partner in the context of Pakistan’s ‘Vision East Asia’ policy and expressed his desire for an elevated partnership with ASEAN. He stated that the MoU would serve as a catalyst for intellectual exchanges, reinforcing better understanding and cooperation on bilateral, regional and international issues of concern between Pakistan and Malaysia.
In his remarks, Ambassador Azhar highlighted the long-standing ties between Malaysia and Pakistan, in areas of defence, economy, and education. The MoU was a testament to the shared commitment to enhance institutional collaboration, a goal reaffirmed during bilateral political consultations in March 2023. The MoU was to pave the way for deeper engagement, understanding, and collaboration in research and cultural domains. Ambassador Azhar congratulated both institutes and highlighted the robust economic ties, with bilateral trade touching new heights. He emphasized the immense potential for further collaboration, in areas such as education and cultural exchanges. Dr. Maszlee bin Malik echoed the sentiment, envisioning the MoU as a starting point for future joint events, research activities, and conferences that would strengthen the bonds between Malaysia and Pakistan.
