Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, and Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, have convened to strengthen their bilateral trade and economic relations after holding talks in Islamabad. The leaders discussed enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including energy, agriculture, connectivity, and tourism as part of efforts to boost ties between Malaysia and Pakistan.
Anwar Ibrahim’s three-day visit to Pakistan aimed to solidify the economic partnership between the two nations. During the fiscal year 2023-2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and Pakistan amounted to $1.5 billion. The governments of both countries released a joint statement affirming their commitment to bolstering economic cooperation, facilitating trade, eliminating barriers in key sectors, ensuring fair competition, and addressing trade imbalances.
Pakistan, which recently secured a $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, is striving to expand its trade relationships with countries in the Middle East and the West. However, the country, with a population of 240 million, is grappling with political unrest as supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan continue to demand his release. Protests are scheduled to take place in the Pakistani capital on Friday, organised by Khan’s loyalists.
Imran Khan has been detained since last year following his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in 2022. He is entangled in over 150 legal cases. The Malaysian and Pakistani leaders’ agreement to strengthen trade and economic ties signifies a step towards fostering stronger relations and promoting mutual prosperity between the two nations.