By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, vowed on Monday to deepen economic ties between their nations, with Malaysia announcing plans to import $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan as a key step toward expanded trade and investment.
The announcement came during a joint news conference following bilateral talks at the Perdana Putra Complex, where Sharif received a guard of honor and the two leaders discussed a broad array of issues, from regional conflicts to opportunities in technology, tourism and education.
Sharif, on a three-day state visit that began Sunday, described the move as a “welcome step” that would “further augment engagement in this sector between the countries.” In a post on X after the news conference, Sharif elaborated on the day’s events, calling his discussions with Ibrahim a “most productive exchange of views.”
He said the two held “wide-ranging discussions on ways to further strengthen our historic partnership — focusing on trade and investment, climate, defence, education, and tourism.” The leaders also delved into “regional and global developments, including the situation in the Middle East and South Asia,” Sharif added, noting that both “reaffirmed our shared resolve to continue working together for the peace, progress, and prosperity of our peoples.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Office described the trip as a reflection of the “strong and enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and Malaysia, rooted in mutual respect, shared interests, and close cooperation across a wide range of sectors.”
At the news conference, Sharif opened his remarks by thanking Ibrahim “on behalf of the people of Pakistan for extending an exceptionally warm welcome to the visiting delegation,” calling Malaysia a “second home.” “This is my first visit to your great country but believe me, ever since we arrived here last night, I [see] familiar faces — very cordial, very warm — as if we have known each other for ages and that stems from sincerity of purpose and very true friendship. It’s like a family reunion,” he said.
The two had held “very productive discussions” earlier, covering “a wide range of matters pertaining to bilateral relations and other international matters,” Sharif said, noting that their “views converge on almost all important issues.” “Today, I am very happy that you have expressed your vision [on] how to build our economic and trade relations, how to promote joint ventures, how to encourage investment […], how we can benefit from your vast experience in technology, artificial intelligence and other areas of economic growth where Malaysia has done remarkably well.”Pakistan, he said, “stood to benefit from Malaysian experience in these areas.”
Addressing the halal meat imports, Sharif said Ibrahim had “indicated interest in meat exports from Pakistan to Malaysia worth $200 million.” “I am eternally grateful to you […] but let me also make it abundantly clear for our Malaysian importers and officials that this quota of exporting meat will be regulated by a market price mechanism. It will be regulated by all halal certification required by Malaysian custom and food authorities […]. I want to assure you that we will make all possible efforts to meet all your terms and conditions and only on that basis, we will achieve not only this quota of $200m, but in times to come, it will increase and have a quantum jump.”
In his remarks, Ibrahim acknowledged the contributions of Pakistani professionals and students in Malaysia. He noted increased rice imports from Pakistan and expressed interest in meat imports, confirming Sharif’s mention of the $200 million figure. “Pakistan was among the Muslim countries who were clearly far ahead initially in these fields and that potential is still there. Now that we have secured stability in the country, we certainly will welcome further collaboration,” he said.
On international issues, the two discussed peace in the subcontinent and countering terrorism. Ibrahim said he was “extremely appreciative” of Pakistan’s stance on the Palestine and Gaza issue. “We jointly look favourably at the 20-point peace initiative by US President Donald Trump. Although Malaysia does express some concerns, but at least on the point of cessation of hostilities, stopping the insane bombings and killings by the Zionist Israeli regime, that at least is a clear position taken by Arab countries, Muslim countries, and most of the countries in the world now,” he said, hoping for “durable peace” in the region. “Our joint position in supporting this peace initiative would probably further help this desire to achieve durable peace,” Ibrahim added.
Later, the leaders witnessed the exchange of memorandums of understanding between the two countries.
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