ISLAMABAD: High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Amna Baloch, who officially assumed her role on 11 September 2024.
During the meeting, Ambassador Dato’ Azhar warmly congratulated Ambassador Baloch on her new position, expressing confidence that her extensive diplomatic experience, including her previous tenure as High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia from 2019 to 2023, would further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Pakistan.
The discussions were extensive and constructive, focusing on enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries. They explored potential collaborations in emerging sectors such as the automotive industry, blue economy, education, energy production, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
Despite the previous record-high bilateral trade of USD 1.8 billion, Ambassador Dato’ Azhar emphasized the substantial growth potential and the need for new trade and investment initiatives.
In the regional context, Ambassador Dato’ Azhar highlighted opportunities presented by ASEAN, noting Malaysia’s strategic role as a gateway to the ASEAN market. This position offers Pakistan significant potential for expanding its economic engagement in the region. With Malaysia set to chair ASEAN in 2025, both sides discussed issues of mutual concern, including the situations in Palestine and Afghanistan.
The meeting also addressed the upcoming visit of the Malaysian Prime Minister to Pakistan. Ambassador Dato’ Azhar underscored the visit’s importance in revitalizing bilateral relations, noting that it had been five years since the last Prime Ministerial visit. The discussions included potential outcomes of the visit, such as advancements in trade, halal cooperation, air connectivity, and tourism.
The meeting marked a renewed commitment to deepening cooperation and reinforcing the long-standing fraternal ties between Malaysia and Pakistan. The friendly and warm atmosphere was a reflection of the strong relationship between Ambassador Baloch and Ambassador Dato’ Azhar, who had previously worked together during Ambassador Baloch’s tenure in Malaysia and Ambassador Dato’ Azhar’s role overseeing Malaysia-Pakistan relations as Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia.
