His Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Azhar undertook a working visit to Lahore, Pakistan from 24 – 25 January 2024. The visit included several significant events, with the highlight being the Ambassador’s address at the 119th National Management Course held at the National Management College (MNC).
During his address, Ambassador Azhar focused on the vital aspects of Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral relations and economic performance. He emphasized the need for Pakistan, with its substantial manpower of 240 million people, to transform its potential into tangible results. Drawing parallels between the two nations, he referred to Pakistan as an elder and bigger brother, urging the country to explore new economic frontiers, particularly in high-tech sectors such as computer manufacturing, green technology, and artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, Ambassador Azhar also shared Malaysia's best governance practices, highlighting policies aimed at corruption prevention, civil service reform, and open government initiatives. These insights were valuable for the Pakistani officials seeking to enhance the efficiency and transparency of their administrative processes.
An essential component of Ambassador Azhar's presentation was an overview of Malaysia's development policies, starting from the First Malaysia Plan (RMK1) in 1956 to the current Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK12) covering the period from 2021 to 2025. This historical perspective provided the audience with a comprehensive understanding of Malaysia's trajectory in economic and social development.
Following his address at the National Management College, Ambassador Azhar Mazlan continued his working visit with a meeting with the General Manager of Nishat Hotel. The meeting, a follow-up to a previous discussion on 23 January, aimed to explore collaborative efforts in hosting Malaysia's gastronomic and tourism promotions at the hotel. During the meeting, both parties expressed their commitment to fostering ties between Malaysia and Lahore, recognizing the city's status as the second-largest in Pakistan with a population exceeding 10 million.
On the next day, 25 January 2024, Ambassador Azhar engaged in a meeting with the President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries. During this meeting, the President extended an invitation for the Ambassador to tour his office in Lahore and discussed the possibility of appointing him as Malaysia's Honorary Consul in Lahore. Such a move would not only strengthen diplomatic ties but also create a valuable liaison for economic and cultural collaborations between the two nations, in Lahore.
To further bolster economic ties and explore potential collaborations, Ambassador Azhar convened a meeting with local business leaders in Lahore. The diverse group included the owner of Brim Burgers, a franchise expressing interest in expanding operations overseas, including Malaysia. The discussions revolved around potential partnerships, investment opportunities, and the role Malaysia could play in facilitating the franchise's expansion.
Ambassador Azhar also met with representatives from the cattle farm industry, discussing on the operation of cattle farms and the broader opportunities in the Halal industry. Malaysia's expertise in Halal practices was highlighted, presenting an opportunity for collaboration where Malaysia could share knowledge and best practices with the local industry in Lahore.
