Naveed Miraj & Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: The Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, has stated that Kuala Lumpur aims to further strengthen its bilateral relations with Islamabad, which were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in March 2019.
The Malaysian High Commissioner made these remarks during an event commemorating Malaysia’s National Day and Armed Forces Day at the Malaysia High Commission.
Highlighting the enduring nature of the Malaysia-Pakistan relationship, the High Commissioner expressed his optimism about the future of these relations, underscoring his commitment to advancing the bilateral relationship.
He envisioned a future characterized by thriving economic ties, deeper cultural exchanges, and strengthened people-to-people connections between the two nations.
Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce and Industries & Production, Dr. Gohar Ejaz, Major General Waseem Iftikhar Cheema, Director General of Joint Information & Intelligence Operation, JSHQ Chaklala, Atadjan Moviamov, Dean of Diplomatic Corps & Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, ASEAN Heads of Mission in Islamabad, and Members of the Diplomatic Corps participated in the celebration.
Mazlan noted that Malaysia and Pakistan share common positions at prominent international forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), and G-77. Additionally, Pakistan holds the status of a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and is a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Malaysia-Pakistan Bilateral Trade Relations
The Malaysian High Commissioner said that over the years, Malaysia and Pakistan have fostered collaboration in various sectors, including culture, tourism, defense, security, education, trade, health, human resource development, parliamentary affairs, and people-to-people contacts. Bilateral trade between the two nations has thrived, with particular attention to the Malaysian palm oil industry, which has found a welcoming market in Pakistan, he maintained. High Commissioner Mazlan commended the strong defense cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan.
The theme of this year’s National Day Celebration, “Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan,” translates to “Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope” in English. It emphasizes the significance of unity and determination in confronting challenges as a united nation.
Mazlan also celebrated Malaysia’s unity in diversity, highlighting the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions that contribute to the nation’s unique identity. He emphasized the strong sense of nationhood among Malaysians based on shared values and mutual respect among diverse ethnicities.
In the field of education, Malaysia has become a preferred destination for Pakistani students seeking higher education, with close to 5,000 Pakistani students currently pursuing studies in Malaysia.
The event marked Malaysia’s Independence anniversary and served as a testament to the enduring relationship between Malaysia and Pakistan. High Commissioner Mazlan expressed confidence in achieving even greater milestones in the years to come, emphasizing that together, both nations had achieved much and would continue to do so.
